Author Note: So I am able to update today! I didn't expect to, hence the second update yesterday. But surprise! So I am updating today! Please review! Thanks everyone so much for the reviews, follows and favorites.
~CWA

CHAPTER NINE: BLOODSTAINED LABYRINTH PART IV

Day One (Continued)

The group split up to do readings of the whole house (Naru and Lin in one group, John, Ayako and Masako in another with Danny, Monk, Mai and Yasuhara in the last group). Danny had even took a brief detour to his own room to get his own devices, basic equipment like temperature readings and EMF detectors, but he also grabbed the Specter Deflector (which was currently off and he took it only in case he had to put it on someone). The Specter Deflector worked on all spectral beings so even if it wasn't a ghost from the Zone, which he doubted that it was his version of a ghost, it would still deflect it and protect the wearer.

"So what is that belt for," Yasuhara asked as they made their way through the mansion, "It looks complicated."

"My own design," Danny stated proudly, not admitting that his parents were the original creators as the Specter Deflector did have upgrades on it, all of which were created by him, "It's meant to deflect ghosts."

"Deflect ghosts," Monk asked skeptically, "Does it even work?"

"'Course it does and it doesn't necessarily deflect so much as it protects the wearer from the ghost's clutches, meaning it can't touch them, and from possession. Technology mixed with the paranormal is a really fascinating thing."

He tapped the metallic belt with his finger with a grin. Mai wasn't too interested in the conversation, finding the halls they were lurking in more fascinating. Monk gave him a confused look, but made a mental note to notify Naru of the invention later.

"If it worked so well, why isn't it used by other researchers? I mean, that's kind of a big invention in the paranormal world."

"Well, it's still in the beta testing phase," the lie slid off Danny's tongue easily, "I haven't released it to the press or anyone yet, but so far it's been working like a charm. Personally, I don't use it that often though. More so protection for others."

He glanced briefly toward Mai. He couldn't help but have the strongest gut feeling that things were going to go bad at the house and not only bad, but that Mai was going to get involved. Monk noticed the look and gave Danny a sly grin.

"You like Mai, don't you?"

Yasuhara paused in his walk momentarily, focusing more on the conversation as he tensed.

"What," Danny rubbed the back of his neck, "Of course I like her. She's like a little sister to me."

Monk deflated at Danny's answer, obviously expecting something different as Yasuhara relaxed. Mai remained oblivious to the conversation as she mused to herself.

"This place sure is a maze."

"Yeah," Yasu agreed, "When they said additions, they weren't kidding. This is crazy."

Yasuhara stopped as he opened a door in the hall to another room. It didn't look familiar to them, but it was certainly as odd as the others. The shape of the room itself was almost weird with all of its corners. Doors and windows were everywhere at different heights, some of the doors being a few feet away from the ground. The windows were all shut with tight shutters.

"What is this," Mai asked as they entered the room.

"Another weird room," Danny mused.

The group remained in the room but opened various doors. Some led to just another wall and a few revealed wooden panels. Danny opened one door toward the back that just revealed another door. Confused, he opened the second door to reveal another one. How many doors is this? Slightly frustrated, he started to open door after door. Just when he thought he reached the end, there was another one. Mai chose to ignore him, nearly face palming at his actions, as she explored a bit as well.

"You don't think we'll discover the body of the missing kid, do you," Yasuhara asked, but his voice was a bit calm.

"Don't be ridiculous," Monk chimed, as he opened a window a few feet off the ground, "If it's somewhere we could find it, then the police would have found it ages ago… What the heck?"

Mai and Yasuhara were quick to run over,

"Did you find a body!?"

At the mention of a body, Danny stopped trying to find the end of the 'endless doors'. Glaring at it as he went over to join the others. He made a watching motion with his hands to the door as if to say 'this isn't over yet.' Thankfully, when he came over, he discovered that Monk didn't find a body on the other side of the window, but instead another room.

"But why is there another room on the other side of this window," Mai questioned.

"Well the shutters look new," Danny mused, "So it must be another addition."

A small beeping from the temperature gauge alerted their attention. The addition room was left, though Danny glanced back briefly. Something just doesn't sit right…

"Just over four degrees," Mai read.

"Well should we keep moving," Yasuhara asked.

"Yeah, I guess… Which way did we come in again?"

Danny pointed North while Monk pointed to a door on the West side and Yasuhara pointed to a door to the East.

"This way," they all said before exchanging confused glances.

"Oh great," Mai sighed before giving a small chuckle, "Wouldn't it be hilarious if we all managed to get lost in here?"

"As funny as it would be," Danny said dryly, "I'd rather not end up as another name of those who disappeared."

"Yeah… I guess you're right… So which door are we taking?"

Danny shrugged and settled for opening a random one, which seemed to take them back to the hallway. He nearly groaned realizing that the door was on the South side, meaning none of them were right when they guessed which way they came from. It wasn't long before they were back to taking temperature readings, going room to room, but one room made them all pause.

It was still just as odd as the other rooms, but there was something even weirder. A lone boxed off area sat in the middle of the room with a door.

"A room within a room," Yasuhara muttered, "No way, this is like a real life video game."

They all walked toward the strange door with a bit of amusement.

"A real-life dungeon maybe," Monk joked.

"If it were a dungeon, then there'd be something in there," Yasu pointed out as he opened the door.

To Mai's relief, there was nothing in there though Danny glanced around thoughtfully inside of it, sticking his head through the doorway. Yeah this is pretty weird. He brought his head back out and shut the door to the room, though Monk was musing to himself.

"That reminds me, while there may not be any dungeons in it, have you heard of the Winchester mansion?"

"As in Winchester riffles," Yasu asked confused.

"Yeah," Danny mused, "Now that you mention it this place is like it. The inventor of the riffle left behind a widow when he died. For years, she put on additions to the house to protect her from curses and spirits. She thought that spirits of those killed by the gun would come to haunt her. It's supposed to be a maze like this…"

The door creaked open, causing Mai to jump. Danny recognized the two men that entered as the guys that came with 'Dr. Oliver Davis.' Reimei Minami, head of the Minami Psychic Research Council, was with his staff member Hideo Atsugi.

"Oh excuse us," Mr. Minami said with a small grin, "We didn't realize there was anyone in here. You're all with Shibuya Psychic Research, aren't you? And you're Daniel Fenton?"

He stepped forward toward Danny and bowed deeply, Mr. Atsugi copying his movement.

"It's a pleasure to meet the esteemed Daniel Fenton… Ah the eagerness of youth. I find it refreshing. Of course, when it comes to psychic research, it's all about experience."

Mai and Danny shared a look. Get a load of this fruitloop, Danny thought as he crossed his arms. Mai was the one who looked openly offended while Monk just glared slightly.

"So," he continued, "I'll be very curious to see how well you kids do."

Yasuhara stepped forward with a big grin.

"Pardon me, I realize I may look young, but the truth is I just turned two-hundred and forty-nine this year. I've got great genes, everyone in my family practically lives forever."

Mr. Minami looked affronted at Yasu's words as Yasuhara continued with a small grin. Danny shared an amused look with Mai, both of them understanding now that Yasuhara made the best 'body double' for Shibuya now. He's great at throwing people off, Danny thought, plus this is pretty funny. Mr. Minami quickly went from shocked to angry as he stepped toward Yasuhara in a threatening manner.

"I don't really appreciate being made fun of, kid. But alright smart guy, tell me when you were born."

"I was born in Horeki Eight," Yasuhara answered, easily, "You know, I think you young kids today are super. Of course, if I talked to my elders with the same sort of disrespect that you've shown me, I would have felt it for a week."

Danny, Mai and Monk started to chuckle in the background as Yasuhara continued,

"Yeah times sure were tough back then, I'll never forget the Great Tenmei Famine…"

Yasuhara continued as Monk barely was able to contain his laughter.

"Man," Monk whispered through his laughter, "Naru sure knew what he was doing, this kid is awesome…"

"It's kind of freaking me out a little," Mai answered through her own giggles.

Mr. Minami glared openly as Yasuhara babbled before finally turning to leave with his assistant, ignoring Yasu completely.

"…They scared me to death with stories of the- oh please wait, I'm not done yet, Mr. Minami!"

Danny gave Yasuhara a big appreciative pat on the back as they all went to stand by Yasuhara.

"Great job," Danny praised, "That was truly amazing…"

"Thanks, but I feel really guilty," he bowed his said slightly as he brought his hands up in a mock prayer, "Please forgive me for being a jerk to the jerk."

After their confrontation with Mr. Minami, the group made their way back to Naru and the others to inform them of the temperature readings. Before they entered, however, Danny gave a quick goodbye to Monk, Yasu, and Mai. It's best I take a look around VIA phantom style, Danny thought as he bowed to the others.

"I need to get my own readings of the place with my own equipment on my own- my devices are a bit different from yours and I fear if I did it at the same time as you guys that it might interfere with results. Plus I like to get my own read of the place by myself. I'll be back shortly."

"Are you sure, Danny," Mai questioned, a bit of concern in her voice, "Naru said it's best to stick together."

"I can take care of myself," Danny waved off her concern, "I'll be back in a bit to keep an eye on you guys."

Before anyone could stop him, Danny was down the hall and around a corner. Mai watched after him for a second, Monk and Yasu doing the same. The three of them shared equally concerned looks, knowing that it was dangerous to go out on your own, especially in a place like the mansion where you could easily get lost. Nevertheless, they entered the room to join the others. John, Ayako and Masako were waiting for them. Naru was already back to writing things down in his clipboard with Lin typing away at the computer.

"Temperature readings were low in each room," Mai informed Naru.

Naru looked up briefly, noticing the lack of one person. As if sensing his question, Monk stepped forward,

"Danny said he has to get his own read of the place by himself. I wouldn't worry too much about him though. He's a pretty powerful psychic and not to mention that weird device he had… What was it called again, Yasu?"

"I believed he said it was the Specter Deflector," Yasuhara answered easily, "He said that it was his own invention, still in the testing stage so there hasn't been publicity for it, meant to keep spirits from touching you or possessing you… He said so far it's proved to work. He should be back shortly."

Naru quickly wrote the information down with a curious gleam in his eyes. Interesting. Such a device should be impossible, unless perhaps he found a way to mix both technology and charms? Lin had similar thoughts as he briefly paused in his typing before continuing. Quickly, Naru got back in track as he turned to the group.

"I don't think we should call it a day before we got the night-vision cameras, thermograph and condenser microphones set in each room. Remember to stick together no matter what happens. Fenton should be here shortly and be sure he knows not to pull something like this again, even with a device like he claims, it's dangerous. Tomorrow, we're to measure each room and hallway so we can create a working floor plan."

Monk clapped his hands,

"Well it looks like we're back to work, everyone. This won't be over anytime soon…"

Floating around invisible and intangible proved to be easier than he thought it was going to be, especially in a mansion full of psychics. Come out, come out wherever you are, Danny thought as he wandered around. The spirit he saw earlier had to be somewhere nearby. There was no way it just vanished from the property. Spirits, at least ones in the dimension he was in, didn't work like that.

Room to room, hallway to endless hallway, Danny grew a bit more tired and aggravated. The mansion was complex and confusing. If he could just stick his body or head through any wall, he was bound to get lost if he wasn't careful. After checking the mansion, he still couldn't find anything aside from the occasional something is wrong. He lingered outside in search for the spirit. If it wasn't in the house, it had to be in the property somewhere. His gut lead him toward the garden where the bad feeling got stronger. To his bad luck, the garden itself was a large hedge maze with a single path leading him through it. He had to be through.

"I don't want to die," an old croaky voice echoed through the garden maze.

"Who are you," Danny demanded as he lit up a small ectoblast, continuing through the maze, "Where did you go?"

"I don't want to die…"

He spotted a dark figure dash across one of the maze's paths. Danny quickly turned to follow it, but he hesitated. That isn't the same figure I saw before. It was like a pure shadow. The one before was just pale with red eyes… It's leading me away from the house. He glanced toward the house with an aggravated sigh, he quickly flew back toward it. I just hope it doesn't do anything while I'm gone.

It took a while to get all the work done, but eventually it was finished and they joined together in their room to regroup. Monk paused, however, when a thought occurred to him. Mai was still underage. Weren't her parents going to worried about her? Come to think of it, I didn't see them when we went over to her house either… And Danny, though he's a famous psychic, is still underage and at least Naru has Lin…

"Hey Mai," Monk asked, "Don't you need to call someone to let them know where you are?"

Mai didn't seem to concerned as she continued to just write a bit of information down on a form, recording the temperature readings from earlier.

"Not really. Since I don't have any parents so it's not like there will be anyone will be home waiting."

That sentence got everyone's attention as they turned to her curiously. Ayako, John and Monk both had a look of concern on their faces. Naru looked up from his work, careful to not show his concern, but even Lin paused in his typing as Mai continued,

"My dad died when I was little so it's like I remember him much. My mom died when I was in Middle School."

"Don't you have any aunts or uncles," Ayako questioned, her voice laced with sympathy, but Mai didn't seem upset.

"Nu-uh, no one. Neither of my parents had any brothers or sisters."

"But whose been taking care of you," John asked.

"Oh," Mai smiled faintly, "I had this teacher that was really nice and let her come to stay at her house for a while, but now it's just me. I'm all grown-up! My school is great for people having hard times so my tuition is free. Between that and my job, everything I need is taken care of and since I do well, my school is letting me take off whenever."

Masako gave Mai a small grin, happy that she was doing well, as did the others. Ayako was quick to comment jokingly,

"I see, so if you want to skip, you just got to say you have work."

"Yep," Mai laughed, "I can stay out as long as I want."

Monk stepped forward and grabbed Mai, bringing her closely to his chest,

"If life ever gets you down, you just come and cry on Monk's shoulder."

"No way, let go you dirty old man," Mai joked as she pushed him away.

He flicked her nose,

"There's no need to be rude."

That comment set them all into a friendly joking mode as they shared a good laugh, Monk even gave Mai playful ruffles on the head. These cases may be scary, Mai mused, But sometimes I wish times like this can go forever. When we're all joking around and laughing, it makes me so happy… It's the best feeling ever… Their moment was ruined as Danny walked in, pausing as he took in the scene before him.

"Am I interrupting something," he asked with an amused tone, "I can always come back."

Mai gave him a funny look, causing him to laugh, as Monk finally let Mai go to step toward Danny.

"Actually, I was wondering, you're underage too, right? Naru has Lin, but don't you have someone you need to call? Or are you an orphan like our Mai here?"

He gave a playful shove at Mai, but his eyes showed that he was asking a serious question. Ayako and the others looked toward Danny, curious about his parents as well. Naru, however, was a bit more focused on the belt that hung from Danny's hips- that must be the device that Monk spoke about. I have never seen anything like it… Danny rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly, silently thanking that at least his identity in this dimension had a similar back story to his real one.

"I'm an orphan like Mai too, actually. My parents died in a fire a couple of years ago and I became legally independent as I got custody of my little sister."

It took everything he had to keep his voice from cracking and his jaw clenched slightly. Curious, Naru mused, he doesn't seem sad more angry… Danny tensed and cleared his throat, uncomfortable with the silence that just befell them.

"I'm sorry for your loss," John offered finally, the other murmuring in agreement.

"Don't be," Danny said instantly, a bit of venom in his voice.

Naru stepped forward, sensing a bit of hostility from Danny,

"This is pointless. It's getting late. We should all get some sleep."

The group nodded in agreement, wasting no time to leave the now tense room. Mai spared one look toward Danny in sympathy before she left with Masako and Ayako to go toward their shared room. However, Lin, Naru and Danny stayed behind in the room.

"Danny," Naru spoke firmly, "All the others are sharing a room. Monk, John and Yasu are in the room next over and across the hall is the girls. You should stay with Lin and I."

Danny gave Naru a sly look.

"Ohhh is that your way of saying you're actually concerned for me?"

"Don't be stupid. I don't want to send a search party after you if you go missing. You're a valuable asset in the terms of the paranormal field."

"You're totally concerned about me… I'm touched, really, but I don't swing that way."

Lin covered a small chuckle as Naru glared.

"Don't be an idiot, Fenton."

"No can do, Naru."

That night, the girls all slept in their shared room. Mai tossed and turned slightly. Part of her mind was still thinking about Danny- he was an orphan as well. It made sense. She never did see his parents and he seemed to take perfectly good care of Ellie by himself. Yet she didn't have time to dwell on it as she heard the faint sound of dripping. She rubbed at her eyes in a sleepy manner as she sat up in bed. Is something dripping? Probably left the faucet on.

She got up and headed to the bathroom, but to her confusion the sink faucet was off. The dripping sound continued and she tensed, hearing it from the behind the bath curtain. It smells like metal… She looked down to see red spots on the floor by the bathtub and blood slowly dripping from the tub. She tensed and with a gulp, she opened the curtain. A body laid there, dead with its eyes rolled back as the tub itself was filled with its blood.

She woke up with a start, the lights of the room were on. It was just a dream… But it was so awful… I feel sick…