Thank you to those still reading this story. I apologize for my long absence from writing. all I can say is depression does not lend itself to creativity, at least not for me. a big thank you to my new beta kurie-tibiti for going over this and helping me smooth things out. the next chapter should be coming soon, I've got most of it in my brain, just got to get it down on the computer.

"Mai-san tell me, have you had any dreams of Gene on this trip?" Lin queried as he pulled into the Library parking lot.

"Not Gene, no." the girl answered casting her eyes away from the older man. He noticed of course and simply waited for her to explain further with a raised eyebrow. For a moment she wondered if Naru had picked up the habit from the Chinese man.

"Naru was in a couple, guiding me like Gene normally does." she admitted reluctantly. It had been well over a year since the subject of Naru's twin brother was brought up. Even after he'd been found and put to rest he'd still guided her on SPR cases. It had been a rough few months for Mai after the two men had returned to England for the burial. She hadn't expected them to come back to Japan and had sought employment elsewhere. Naru had found her working as a waitress at an uppity restaurant upon returning. He'd simply marched into the place in the middle of one of her shifts and told her to be at work, on time, the next day. She would have been surprised if Gene hadn't warned her the night before. Not that she had fully trusted the dream at the time. She had thought it was wishful thinking since she truly hated her boss. A few weeks later she finally asked Naru why he'd sought her out. His infuriating answer had been, "I don't want to have to train someone how to make the tea."
"Naru was guiding you? That's unusual, he didn't seem to be affected. Perhaps you pulled him into your dream instead of him using his own power." Lin interrupted her reminiscing.

"I don't know; I just know it wasn't Gene this time." she replied just as they entered the building.

"Mai-san, please check with the librarian about the history of the house while I do some research." Lin said as he headed towards the basement of the library. He'd already gotten several boxes worth of microfilm to look over, they were full of past newspapers sorted by date and newspaper headlines. Mai nodded and moved towards the older woman at the front desk who looked to be in her 50's.

"Hello, my name is Taniyama Mai. My co-workers and I were hired to look into the Hirotaka mansion. I wonder if I could ask you a few questions and get some help in finding some information." Mai said with a smile. The librarian smiled tentatively back at the girl until she mentioned the old hotel. Her expression had turned serious, even a little frightened, at the topic.

"I had heard that there were ghost hunters brought in for that horrible place. I'm about to take my break dear, come sit with me in the conference room and we'll talk." she said as a younger woman came around the counter to take her place. The woman ushered Mai into a separate room and shut the door behind them.

"I'm sorry to rush you Taniyama-san, but that subject is a little taboo around here. The other workers, my boss especially, are all quite adamant that we don't talk about that house. They're afraid of scaring people off mostly, but some of them are afraid that if we talk about it one of the remaining spirits will be drawn down here. Oh, my name is Akiyama Chou by the way."

"Thank you for talking to me. Were you living here at the time of the massacre?" Mai asked a little unsure at how to phrase the question. Akiyama nodded somberly.

"Yes, it was so tragic and sudden. No one could really believe so much happened in one night. No one there survived, but no killer was ever found. There were only a few members of staff off that night. They were getting ready for a big celebration you see, so I think only three or four workers were away from the hotel. All of them had alibis that were checked out by the police. I know because my husband was part of the police force at the time."

"Do you know who was absent from the hotel? Are any of them still in the area?" Mai pressed. She wasn't really getting any information she didn't already know but maybe if she asked the right questions the woman might remember something important.

"No, none of them are here anymore. I know that two have since passed away, I kept in touch with them. They were friends of my parents, a husband and wife who worked in the kitchen of the hotel. They were in a car crash a year ago. The other people I didn't know at all, but I remember my husband commenting that the family moved away."

"The other family? Another couple that worked there?"

"No, I think it was just the man who worked there, the wife didn't work. There was someone else though. A young girl I think. She was maybe around your age at the time. She had something to do with that family, but she wasn't their daughter. It's hard to say really. I didn't know them, as I said, but I recall there was some scandal involving the girl that was hushed up fairly quickly. I remember my parents mentioning it. I don't remember the details."

Mai was intrigued by the rumours and asked if Akiyama's parents were still around, hoping that they might recall the rumours. Unfortunately the librarians parents had passed away recently and she didn't know who else the girl could ask. She broached the subject of asking the woman's husband questions about the old case, but he too had died three years before of a heart attack. The conversation tempered off shortly after that, but before Mai could leave the woman stopped her again.

"I do have something for you though Taniyama-san. My boss has tried to contact the new owners of the hotel several times about some books left in our possession. They're uninterested in them and the Library owner wants them out of here one way or another, he's very superstitious. He instructed the staff that if any of you ghost busters were to come asking questions that we should give them over to you." With that she got up and left the room for a few minutes. Mai waited patiently until she came back in carrying a box.

"What are they?"

"The guest registry for that time, it starts a month or two before the incident, and a staff log book. This should help you find more information I think. They were given to us after the police closed down the case. The owners died that night and their family didn't want them. The library owner back then thought it might be something that the families of the deceased could come and look over. He retired ten years ago and the current owner hasn't been able to get rid of them. He can't just throw them out, so if you would return them to the mansion we would be appreciative."

Mai took the books gratefully and was shooed out the door after thanking the older woman several times for her help. She found Lin downstairs still going through the microfilm and sat down beside him. Knowing better than to disturb him she opened the first book which turned out to be the staff logs. She started from the beginning and soon became familiar with the reoccurring names. Every time she came across two names her subconscience twinged, 'K. Aldenburg Takako' and 'Aldenburg Emil.

Another name caused her to blink in recognition, 'Kawaguchi Yuuma'. Mai frowned as she sorted the names to faces. Aldenburg could be the current butler, he seemed to know the mansion extremely well and they hadn't managed to talk to him yet. Takako was the new owners first name, but that could be a coincidence. Takako was a common enough name, but that didn't feel right when she thought about it. Kawaguchi, that one stumped her for a few minutes until she recalled that it was Tonma's last name as well. Her head was starting to throb with the beginning of a headache.

"Mai-san, are you alright? What are those books?" Lin asked without taking his eyes off the screen.

"Yes, just a headache. The books are from the hotel, they're the staff and guest log books from around the time of the massacre. I think there might be some clues here, but I haven't gotten very far into them." Mai replied closing the books and placing them on the desk beside the Onmyoji. She reached up and began to massage her temples in an attempt to alleviate the pain. Behind her she could hear someone walking down the stairs, and when the sound stopped a familiar voice broke the silence.

"There you two are. Shibuya said I would find you two at the library."
Mai opened her eyes and turned around quickly to see a figure at the bottom of the stairs.

"John!" Mai cried out in joy as she rushed over to give him a hug. It had been months since they had called the Priest in on a case.

"Brown-san, thank you for coming. Did you just arrive in town?" Lin asked from where he sat.
The Australian had his hands full embracing Mai in return, but he turned his head to answer,
"Yes, I just got in. I took a plane and the cab dropped me off here, he refused to take me to the site. When I called Shibuya he told me that you two were still in town and to look for you here. The librarian directed me down here."

"When did Naru call you, I had no idea you were coming? It's a good thing you're here though, we need some serious help." Mai said finally releasing the blonde man and leading him over to where Lin was sitting. Over the years John had become one of her best friends, so he knew better than to argue when she pushed him into her seat.

"Shibuya called me the day you all left to come here. I was away at the time, but I told him I would fly here directly when my business concluded. What happened to your leg Mai? Where did all those scratches and cuts come from?"

To say he was shocked by all the activity the group had encountered already would be an understatement. Mai had pulled another chair over to their desk as she quietly filled him in and was now going over the books with him as Lin loaded another microfilm. It was getting late when they finally left the building, which was closing anyway, and the trio decided to pick up dinner rather than having Mai start cooking when they got back.

John had noticed Mai's locket, but quickly dropped the subject after she answered with a short, "It's a family heirloom" and looked away. He knew they would talk later. The girl really didn't look all that good right now, and that bothered him. She obviously hadn't been sleeping properly and it was taking its toll on her body. He shot Lin a concerned glance behind Mai's back at one point and received a minor head shake in response. John would have to talk to the others later about what had been going on with the girl. It wasn't long before they were back at the mansion and eating dinner

"John, thank you for coming. There's quite a bit of activity going on here, I'll need you and Takigawa to start exorcising them tomorrow. We'll leave what's under the porch for last until we can find more information on it. Lin, Mai, and I will be monitoring from the base."

"No problem. Will Masako and Ayako be joining us?"

"No, Matsuzaki is busy at the hospital and there are no trees old enough up here for her to draw on. Miss Hara is out of the country shooting her television show. There's no need to call Yasuhara in either, he would just be a distraction since he's unable to protect himself." Naru answered John's question firmly. He paused as if something had just occurred to him.

"Oh, and by the way. We're all staying in the same room. The spirit under the porch is quite malicious, it attacked Takigawa the other night."

"Um, all of us?" John said with a glance at Mai. It was just that with his calling he'd never slept in the same room as a woman. Despite his misgivings he knew that none of them would do anything inappropriate.

"It's ok John. I'll be separated from you guys by a large screen, if that helps any." Mai tried to reassure the Priest later as she led the way to their room. She noticed that Bou-san and Naru must have moved another cot in while she was in town with Lin.

"What's happened so far Mai? We've all been attacked before, but he's never grouped us all in the same room." John asked as he put his bags down on his bed. He seemed a little shocked at how powerful and active the spirits in the building were. It wasn't long before the two of them were back down at the base. Mai was left there as the four men went around taking readings and hunting ghosts.

For once she wasn't tired and watched the monitors alertly for any signs of trouble. Suddenly her intuition warned her that she was being watched and she turned around quickly. There standing in the partially open door stood a shadowy figure. Just as she was reaching for the radio to call for help the door opened further and the young maid stepped into the room with a smile.

"Mai-san I was just on my way home, I thought I'd stop to see if you needed anything?" Tonma asked with her usual smile.

"Ah, no thank you Tonma-san. I appreciate it though." Mai responded in a strained but friendly voice. The girl nodded and waved goodnight as she stepped out of the room and towards the front door.

An hour went by, then two and three, soon it was nearing midnight and Mai found herself drooping over the desk. The guys were taking a long time going through the house, but both Bou-san and John were performing exorcisms in each room. The problem was, as she had informed them several times, the ghosts were staying one room ahead. Kasumi was in the base with Mai but was playing with her bear in the corner of the room. Mai didn't want the little girl to be driven out, she would rather the ghost move on when she was ready. Naru had simply raised an eyebrow when she'd explained that to them and headed out the room saying she was going to do it anyway no matter what he said.

Mai checked the monitors one more time. They were on the third floor still, but it didn't look like they would be there long. The four men were in the last room near the stairs, and it was John's turn. She watched as he methodically sprinkled holy water before picking up his bible to read his chosen scripture. Bou-san always went first after Naru took the temperature and EMF readings which Lin recorded. As John's voice droned over the headphones Mai lost the battle to stay awake.

Mai looked around the ballroom in confusion. No one was here and she wondered whether she was in the past or the present. She turned quickly when she felt someone come into the room behind her.

"Gene? That is you this time right?" Mai asked as the man stepped toward her.

"You're correct Mai, it's me. Noll was in your last few dreams by mistake. I tried to visit him in his dreams, but I inadvertently pushed him into your dream and possessed his body. He refused to remember such experiences when he wakes up though. That's his scientific brain at work. You need to leave this place Mai, you're all in danger here. You and Noll especially. It's just claimed another victim and it's getting stronger." Mai stared at him in growing horror.

"You mean that thing under the porch?" she asked, but Gene shook his head no.

"That's only part of it. It is dangerous, but the real problem lies with the one who called it up."

Suddenly they were somewhere dark, almost cave like, and she got the sense they were under the porch. Looking around was useless though as the only thing she could see clearly was her companion.

"Gene! What are we doing down here? That horrible thing will get us!" Mai said in alarm grabbing onto the deceased boy's arm. He smiled and pulled her to his chest with his free hand. The hug was comforting, like getting one from Ryo, John, or Bou-san.

"It's alright Mai. We're in the past, it's still weak right now. I wouldn't take you somewhere that you could be hurt. Besides if I did, that idiot scientist would haul me back across just to kill me himself." Gene said with a low chuckle. Mai was confused at that. She really doubted Naru would try to hurt his own twin for her sake.

"Watch Mai. It's important. We're here a few months before your family arrived."

Mai looked to where he pointed and suddenly there was a patch of light above them. She gazed around the space, now able to see more clearly, but her attention was drawn to the woman descending the ladder. She still couldn't make her out, but something told her it was the maid that she'd been warned about before. The girl seemed to be having some difficulty getting down the steps and she had a strange bundle on her back. Finally she made it to the bottom, though her face remained shadowed, and shuffled forward to a strange spot on the floor.

She lay the bundle down and Mai gasped when she heard a baby's cry. She tried to step forward to reach the child but Gene held her back shaking his head. He looked pained as they watched the girl. Mai hid her face in his chest as the girl raised her hand, a knife glinting in the light, and brought the blade down on the helpless baby. There was a flash of light and a deep rumble of thunder. Gene kept her from looking as a deep voice came from the area where the girl knelt.

"For the sacrifice of your innocent child, you will be granted a service."

Mai felt the scene shift and Gene allowed her to pull away from him. The girl and whatever she had summoned were gone but they were still under the porch. Something on the ground ahead of them caught her eye. She stepped forward but reeled back in disgust and fear. There was a circle of writing inscribed on the dirt in what looked like old blood, and in the centre was a fresher looking puddle of blood.

"Is that...?" she couldn't finish the sentence.

"Yes, that is a demon portal."

Mai woke, choking on her own fear. Desperately she looked around, not sure of what she was looking for. She could hear the guys on the landing above her, and saw them walking towards the stairs that would lead them to the first level. She relaxed minutely until she spotted something appear behind the monk, who was walking last in the group. A warning on her lips she rushed out to the entrance way. She got there just in time to see the railing break and Takigawa was pushed from the second floor.

"Bou-san!" she screamed as the man began to fall.