Autor 's note :
Once again, I had some difficulties with my chapter but a lot of idea came at the end of it !
Little things here and there between Mai and Lin. I told you, it would be slow !
CaitHawke4Ever : You're not far from it ! But I won't tell more ! And sure enought, Monk alway had been observant ! If someone other than Naru should find out... it must be him ! Next chapter will be fun to write !:D
Joys : Yeah I enjoyed writing on them both ! I mean, Monk is gentle, observant, carring... It's easy to see them take their time talking like that ! As for who it will target... you'll have part of your answer in this chapter :D please,enjoy ! at the end of the case, Lin's will be dead tired with worry !
Savage memories's case.
Part 2
Fear
Lin's POV
Inside my head, I really hope that there is a case, that Taniyama is right. Seeing how happy she was to be trusted with this job, It would be sad to discover that there is nothing. We will see. Naru and I are planned to be there in a short while. Her story about this big black dog seems interesting, just because animals staying being after death are few. Often, it's not even what they want, something often keep them from passing on, be it another spirit or a curse.
Before hand, Naru got Yasuhara to investigate. He wanted to know more about a few things : The owner of the dog and the two young men who were injured. Hopefully, no one in their team would be falling in the « target » category.
For now, there would be only them, Naru, himself, Takigawa, Taniyama and Yasuhara for the research.
Normal POV
When the van drived by Lin parked before the shelter, Mai and Monk were calmly waiting for them. The Chinese man saw right from the start that the woman was a bit stressed out. What more logical, it was her first outside job, her first time trusted with something. In her head, Lin was imagining some questions turning in circle : « what if I'm wrong ? » « What if I made them come for nothing ? ». It was clear as day and Naru did nothing to help, staying calm and cold. They got out of the van and the young boss went staight to buisness.
« Mai, Monk, start putting the base up. »
« Yes ! »
Was Mai's only reply. Something was telling Lin that she would be particularly obedient for now.
« Mister Takamasa, my assistant told me that, beside two people being targeted, only strong dogs had been killed. Is there actually one of those strong personality inside the shelter? »
« None. But I received a call earlier. A male dog had been found on the street nearby and should be arriving soon. »
« Do you think he could be targeted ? »
« Very possible. »
« You didn't see the dog, but your answer didn't let much space to doubt. »
« Sure. The dog is an adult purebreed Akita Inu. You want a proud dog ? Take an Akita. What saddened me is that I don't want to put this dog in danger if I can»
« I understand »
Sure enought, the dog came fast. A blue car arrived at the shelter thirty minutes later. Strange sight that this big dog in this tiny car. It was giving the idea that the dog was taking half the vehicule. It was a woman who got him down. Middle aged, looking tired with short hairs and loose clothes. Beside, the brindle akita dog seemed strong and fierce. But was letting the woman lead the way.
« Hello... Thanks for taking him. He has been running around our street for some times, youngster feeded him so he stayed around. »
Mister Takamasa took the leash, who was in fact some rope. Instantly the dog got tensed.
« He don't seem to do good with men... »
« … Right. It's the reason why it is me who came. He don't bite. He don't even try. But he refuse to move if directed by a man. »
And right to his description. Even with the sweetest words and care from the director, the dog didn't lift a paw. That, until Mai came into view. Her eyes started to shine when seing the dog.
« What a gorgeous one ! »
« A fierce one »
« Can I say hello to him ? »
« Be carefull, but he seem ok with women »
The woman came, got down at eyes level and then extended her hands toward him. Never once did he disagree with the idea and soon, her petite hand was lost in his fur. In a matter of minute, he was sitted right by her side.
« Just dont tell me that this dog has to be a bait to the spirit. »
Naru looked at her. He didn't want either. He wasn't overly affective toward animals, but it didn't mean he wanted any harm to befall them either.
« It is a risk if he enter the shelter. »
« Does he absolutly have to enter ? »
« He don't have any other place to go... »
«But in one of the box it will be difficult to protect him ! »
« Say Naru ! »
Bou-san, who until then just listened started to speak.
« If the dog is behaving correctly, can't he just stay with Mai ? As there is always one of us with her, if the thing here follow the dog, he will appear to us. Better than to have a box full of blood from nowhere and no clue. »
Naru stoped to think a bit and then looked at Mister Takamasa.
« I see no objection. I don't want to see him dead either. The only thing is he have to behave. »
Mai petted the dog on the head.
« Hey doggy, how should I call you ? »
He looked at her with intelligent eyes. Sitting like that by her side, he looked like some kind of protector.
« How about Shiki ? »
Lin lifted an eyesbrow at that.
« What Lin ? Isn't he looking strong and smart and protective ? He made me think about your Shiki »
Lin smiled. Just a little. But enougth so that Mai saw it, and blushed.
The base room wasn't big. All the team wouldn't fit in there. Thankfully, everyone wasn't here. But four people and one big dog was the limit. Along the wall was the monitors with two chairs on which Naru and Lin were sitting. Monk has put himself on a box and Mai on a chair by the door with Shiki down on her feet.
Everything was clear on the monitors. Mai and Monk already made two tours of the shelter and everyone had tea. Yasuhara had yet to call with the informations. So typically, it was time for chitchat.
« So Mai, happy ?! You who always wanted a dog ! »
« Seriously ! He is so great ! I totally love the big, strong and silent type ! »
Monk looked at her silently for some time.
« Hey Mai ! I wouldn't know you were talking about a dog I would think you were talking about your preference in men ! »
« Wh... ! Bou-san ! »
« What! Maybe it's that ! You're quit a lively woman, petite, always in trouble and talkative. We did say that opposites attracts ! »
« … ! »
« And your past reccord on crush show indeed strong and silent people »
« Please Bou-san ! »
« What ?! Remember this guys last years... And when we first knew you, you had a cruch on... »
Mai was beat red. Finally, she couldn't take anymore of this and decided to take it upon herself to shut him up. When Lin looked behing him, Mai had her two hands on Monk's mouth. She just in typical Mai fashion throw herself to him so that the only thing preventing her fron crashing into him was both of his hand on her waist.
It was strange how their talk was sinking to him. Between strangers or friends wanting them together and Monk, often right on mark, calling out Mai on her preference for men who, even him knew, was his description, it was trowing him off balance. And he didn't likes Takigawa's hands on her.
Ridiculous. It was not possible. He was in need of some meditation to clear his mind.
When he was thinking about telling something to stop them, that in itself and he knew it, wouldn't be like himself either, Naru sent him a side glance full of meaning and then, calmly put an end to the display.
« Mai, tea. I'll come, I need a walk »
« Ok ! »
They were walking in silence. It was always like that when walking with Naru. Mai was between Naru and Shiki, who was near enought that she was able to put her hand in his fur and distractly pet him. After some time tought, Mai gave up.
« So, Naru, and you ? Are you more on cats or dogs ? With Monk we were ready to bet on cats ! »
« … I have a hard time knowing why this can be interesting to know »
« Well, it's all about knowing each other better ! Something like that ! »
« ... »
« So ? »
« I actually trust in both. Animals are better than human in a lot of way. They won't refuse to believe, they trust their instincts and are often, be it cats or dogs, great indicators while on case. A bit like you. »
« I didn't imagine this response ! So, that mean you trust me ? »
« We've arrived to the kitchen, Mai, Tea. »
Mai pouted, a bit, but soon let it go. It wasn't often that Naru was honest and was answering one of her silly questions. By the way, it loosed the silly side of it while answered by a guy like him.
The kitchen wasn't big. Enought for two people to be in it, no more. Shiki had to stay outside and wasn't too happy with it. Since coming, he didn't let Mai alone for one minute, except for toilet and such, and then he was waiting, glued to the door.
There was a camera in the kitchen, like everywhere else, even if there had been no activity seen on this room. Naru was currently reviewing factswhile Mai silently made tea. But something was bothering her. It was hard to describe. Maybe it was a feeling related to hearing Shiki to scratch the door with his paws... But still... It was not quit wouldn't feel like that. It was a sinking feeling, more and more present, growing as much as the irritation of the dog on the door of the kitchen.
« Naru... something isn't... »
*BARK BARK BARK*
« … right... »
Mai turned toward the door and her boss frowned deeply,taking his talky. He started to feel cold air.
« Lin »
strong BARKING
Naru was having a hard time hearing the answer.
« Yes Naru »
« The room's colder. Mai and the dog felt something... send Takigawa fast.»
« Alright, get out there Naru ! »
Choosing to act more than pursue talking, Naru directed Mai toward the door.
BAM BAM BAM
Goosebumps ran down Mai's spin.
The room was shaking, everything was hitting the wall. The camera felt on the ground.
Shiki was loosing his mind on the other side of the door.
Knives flyed by them, cutting sligthly Naru on the way, on the shoulder. At this time he had his arms around Mai head, having her bent.
BAM BAM BAM
« … Ru ! ...AI ! »
It was Monk hitting the door and calling for them.
So, the door was blocked. He felt Mai trying to act herself to send the spirit away.
It didn't let her finish.
They heard a growl. It wasn't Shiki. A hand grabed Naru's shoulder from behind. Well, that felt like a hand with a death grip, ready to grind his shoulder. He heard Mai gasp. Just before them, a dark mass, growling. It was big, black and had, sure enought, a whole lot of hostility. He tried to put Mai behind him but a second hand grabed him and it went fast. He felt himself go back, felt what seemed like the wall and his mind went black.
He didn't knew what happened after that. His last thought was for Mai, alone face to face with the dark mass in the closedroom. He saw in his mind the pictures of the box covered in the dogs blood.
Mai was right, there is something here...