A/N: Hey everyone it's me again. Hope you will like this chapter.
Disclaimer: I do not own Ghost Hunt
Edited: December 9, 2017
-oOo-
Flashback...
Mai smiled in turn as well, "Good night Naru." The both of them then entered their rooms, they both ended up drifting to sleep immediately.
...Flashback
-oOo-
A few weeks had passed since Naru and Shinji were discharged from the hospital. They were both finally given a clean bill of health and things were finally returning to normal.
Mai, Lin, and Keiki were currently by the gardens taking a short break from Mai's training. "It's really strange how the house feels so quiet without everyone else. I've gotten used to all the racket that's been going with Ayako hitting Bou-san, Luella-san with her camera or even Madoka and Yasu's antics." Mai said with a grin on her face.
Keiki nodded his head in agreement, "Yeah, it is strange but we should enjoy the peace and quiet while it lasts. An opportunity like this will be hard to come by again." All three of them shared a laugh at that, all agreeing that this was one of the rarest time they would have any peace of mind considering what their professions are.
Mai started ticking of with her fingers where the others were currently, "Naru should be at the university by now doing a lecture, it is strange that he hasn't taken a case yet, after all he was already given an all clear." She said this while resting her chin on her knuckles.
"Noll hasn't found any case yet that managed to pique his interests." Lin answered Mai's query.
Mai shrugged her shoulders, "Oh well, knowing Naru he's going to be very picky with the case he chooses. But I have a feeling will have a case once Naru gets back from the university." Lin agreed they probably will have a case soon with how angsty Naru was becoming since they haven't had any cases for a while now. But what caught his attention was Mai saying they will have a case once Naru gets back. It was one thing to say they'll have a case soon but another to say when they'll have it.
Mai on the other hand was oblivious to Lin's thoughts and just continued listing where the others were, "Yasuhara has gone to the BSPR main headquarters."
Keiki joined the discussion, "I believe he said something about him and Madoka doing some research and will go over some plans. Though I have no idea what they are going to research and plan about since he didn't expound on it when he left."
"Well will just have to wait and see what they are up to. Somehow I have a feeling it has something to do with the Christmas party. Technically speaking, I don't even want to know what they're planning." Mai commented while shivering and a look of horror on her face. The other two had the same reaction as well since all three of them have the same thoughts running through their minds. Which were along the lines that whatever plans Yasuhara and/or Madoka have made it would be dangerous to their health. Keiki narrowed his eyes at Mai commenting about it being plans for Christmas and he was quite sure he didn't ever mention Yasuhara and Madoka were planning something for the Christmas party.
Keiki coughed and tried to compose himself, "Well, let's just hope and pray that whatever they do plan is harmless." The two agreed, though with Madoka and Yasuhata the word harmless has a different meaning altogether. Let's just say that nothing comes out good for anyone except Madoka and Yasuhara were plotting.
Mai nervously changed the topic, "Eh he he, umm, so Aunt Kourin and Shinji are site seeing in town. With all the stress the both of them had been in the past few weeks I think the both of them deserves this time together." Mai just went on talking without noticing how Lin and Keiki stiffened when she mentioned the part about Kourin and Shinji were both together. The two were thinking how they will go about interrogating 'cough' talking to Shinji when they were both brought out of their thoughts as their Shikis began alerting them to a spike in Mai's spiritual energy.
They both focused their attention ont the girl and observed her. The two narrowed their eyes when they saw Mai's eyes were glazed. Lin was about to snap her out of her trance when Keiki placed a hand on his shoulder to stop him. Lin was about to protest but Keiki just shook his head and motioned for his brother to keep quiet and to listen to Mai.
It was during that time Lin became aware of what Mai was saying. "It would be quite funny when we find out Luella was actually following Aunt Kourin and Shinji with her trusted camera." Mai said with a grin but soon enough frowned, "I don't think it was a good idea for Mr. Davis to have a conference with all those mediums gathered in one place. Spirits might try to flock there since they sill have a free choice of whom they would want to communicate with."
Lin and Keiki started to take note of Mai's word, at the same time observing her power levels just in case it will put a strain on her body. Mai didn't stop and just continued talking in a trance like state. "Hmm, Bou-san should have chosen a different place to eat. Since Ayako will eat at the same place and would see him, he is going to really regret going inside the restaurant." Mai finally snapped out of her trance like state as though nothing happened and she wasn't just spouting things. She was confused as to why Lin and Keiki were currently staring at her intently.
She asked the two, "What's wrong? Why are you staring at me? Did I do or say something?" Mai was getting uncomfortable and conscious of herself at their attention.
Lin and Keiki shared a look and the both of them decided to keep this to themselves for the mean time. Keiki finally answered Mai, "Nothing is wrong, we should hurry up and finish your training before everybody else gets here."
Mai agreed but she narrowed her eyes at the two, since she felt they were hiding something from her. But soon enough her thoughts were forgotten when they started instructing her again on what she was supposed to do. Throughout the training, both Keiki and Lin made sure to keep an eye on Mai's power levels.
-oOo-
The day had come and gone since it was already afternoon when the others got back. All of them were currently gathered in the sitting room. As soon as everyone was situated and comfortable in their places, Naru began to discuss a new case, "Early this morning, a case was received directly by the parapsychology department of the university."
He noticed from his peripheral view the way Lin and Keiki shared a look and softer their gaze at Mai. Naru furrowed his brows together but decided to ignore it for now and continued with what he was saying. "They requested that I head this investigation. Along with that I am to bring some of my students in order for them to have a form of experience on how things are done in the field. This is also why I would like to request for the whole team to be there at the same time, this would give them the chance to see different types of skill sets. Your presence would also be an additional form of protection." He finished with his explanation and waited for the team's response.
Everyone agreed on joining the case, since it has been a while since they've last taken one. Naru nodded his head and was about to speak again when Luella barged into the room interrupting him.
"Hello everyone, look at the pictures I've gotten." Luella greeted cheerfully and bouncing of the walls while waving some pictures in her hands. She started passing around the pictures to the team. As soon as the pictures reached Shinji and Kourin's hands, the both of them turned various shades of red.
"Luella, how did you get this?" Kourin embarassedly asked the woman.
"Oh, I followed you of course. But not to worry, I made sure to stay quite a distance away from you in order to give you both some privacy." She admitted her actions without even batting an eyelash. They all just sweat dropped at her comment, well with the exception of Naru, who just pinched the bridge of his nose already feeling the beginning of a headache.
The others were taking the mickey out of Shinji and Kourin which made Martin sigh loudly, which in turn gained the attention of everyone else.
Lin was the one to ask, "Did something happen?" He hadn't notice before but the professor looked really bedraggled.
"Oh no, no, nothing's wrong, we just had a very hectic day. I'm just worn out with what happened at the conference." Martin answered tiredly which was soon followed by a deep sigh.
They all finally noticed how worn out both Martin and Masako were. "Oh my, did anything go wrong during the conference?" Kourin asked alarmed at how the two look.
Martin sent them a tired a smile, "There's no need for you to worry, it was nothing we couldn't handle. We were just overwhelmed by the number of spirits who decided to grace the conference with their presence. They tried to communicate with all the mediums in the vicinity." They all had shocked looks on their faces with some gaping at him with slack jaws. They couldn't believe what he just said.
Before anyone could react or comment, they all hear Bou-san groan, "I'd rather face those spirits this day rather than what I just experienced."
Everyone looked at the man and they all saw him slumped on the couch looking worse for wear. "Eh! Bou-san what happened to you?" Mai asked with her eyes wide.
"You are asking what happened, well Ayako happened that is." Bou-san exclaimed while pointing at the miko.
"Oh shut up, you big baby. Are you a man or not? Don't tell me you got tired from carrying all those bags." Ayako snapped at him with a glare.
"Well I wouldn't be this tired if you didn't decide to use me as a pack mule and started dragging me across town and enter every shop you saw." Bou-san shot back. The both of them glared at each other then looked away.
The others just stared at the two in confusion, "Umm, Bou-san didn't you say that you were going sight seeing?" Mai asked with her brow furrowed.
Bou-san answered with an arm covering his face, "Yeah, I did go to town and look at some of the tourist spots we missed a while back." Which still didn't answer the question on how exactly did he become Ayako's pack mule as he stated.
Yasuhara piped in, "As far as I remember, you went on your own. so how did you end up being Ayako's pack mule?" The others looked at the monk wanting to find out his answer.
Before Bou-san could answer him, Keiki beat him to it, "You didn't happen to go and eat somewhere and by chance met up with Ayako-san, did you?"
Bou-san stood up immediately and looked at Keiki in amazement, "Yeah, I did and I regretted that I chose to eat there of all places. So how did you know about that, you're not psychic or anything are you?" Everyone looked at him as if he grew a second head. At first he was confused on why they were looking at him strangely when his brian finally caught on to what he just said. He face palmed, "Sorry, that was a stupid question to ask. But you do understand what I mean, don't you?"
Keiki chuckled, "It's alright no harm done, it happens to us at times. As for your question as to how I knew, I'll answer that in a while I just need to confirm some things first."
Not waiting for a response from the monk, Keiki turned his attention towards Yasuhara and Madoka. "Yasuhara-san, Madoka-san, I need the both of you to answer me truthfully if you will." Keiki addressed the two. Yasuhara was about to make a joke but the look of seriousness on Keiki's face made him shut his mouth.
Madoka as well knew that it wasn't time for games looked at Keiki seriously, "We'll answer you as best as we could."
Keiki nodded, "Did you and Yasuhara-san made plans or something for the Christmas party?" Keiki asked. The two in question didn't have to speak since their reactions were already answer enough. Both of them had their eyes wide like saucers not believing how Keiki knew they were planning something.
Madoka was opening her mouth to speak but Keiki raised his hand and smiled at them, "Please do not worry, I only want to know if you were planning anything. You may keep to yourselves whatever those plans might be."
Madoka and Yasuhara looked at each other then looked back at Keiki, "Yeah the both of as were planning something. But why are you asking us this and how did you know?"
"Thank you for your cooperation but just like I said to Bou-san, I'll explain in a while how I knew this things." As he finished he caught his younger brother's eyes and nodded. The both of them were planning to observe for a while before informing the others but with what had transpired it was best to let everyone else in on what they've found.
The others noticed the exchange between the two. Bou-san was about to open his mouth but shut it when he saw Naru's glare directed at him. He gulped and kept quiet.
Naru turned his attention towards Lin and Keiki. Keiki understood what they young boss wanted so began to explain. "I know you are wondering what my questions are leading." He received nods from everyone. "This reason for this is because of what happened this morning. As Koujo and I were training Mai, we were both notified by our shiki that Mai's spiritual levels spiked up." This earned gasps from the others.
Mai's eyes widened with realization, "Is that the reason why the both of you were staring intently at me a while ago?"
Keiki nodded his head. Bou-san then spoke, "What do you mean her spiritual levels spiked?"
Lin answered, "It means what it means. The only way for her spirit levels to spike is if she is utilizing her abilities and she did just that."
"We are not on a case, so why would Mai be using her abilities?" Ayako asked in confusion.
Shinji, who was quiet up to this point had an inkling on what was going on, commented, "Not exactly, Mai doesn't only use her abilities during cases." They all turned their attention towards him. "I believe she is using her abilities as well on her daily routines as well. None of you realize it, but if you think carefully about your interactions with her you'll find instances when she's used her abilities."
John's eyes widened in remembrance, "Come to think of it, whenever we arrive at the SPR office, it seems as though Mai-san knows how many people will arrive and will always have the right number of tea cups out."
"Hey, now that you mentioned it. I remembered it was just the four of us in the office and no one was scheduled to come in for a consultation but Mai still made tea good for five people. I was about to comment to her that there were only four of us when a walk in client came in. There were also times when she seems to know exactly when the phone would ring." Yasuhara added while he was rubbing his chin in thought.
When they were given a chance to think about it, it was actually true that Mai utilizes her abilities even if they weren't on cases. Mai was shocked as well since she has been doing those thing unconsciously, she hadn't realize that she was making use of her abilities. Just hearing what Yasuhara and John just said made her realize that her abilities had been apart of her daily life.
Shinji looked at Keiki and Lin, "I'm going to make a guess and say it was because of Mai how you knew of those things."
Keiki nodded his head, "Correct, we were planning on keeping this to ourselves for now and continue monitoring Mai, since we didn't want to cause you any alarm but with how things ended up we decided to update you."
"Everything from us getting a case, to spirits congregating, Bou-san meeting up with Matsuzaki-san and with Yasuhara san and Madoka-san's plans. All of these things were mentioned to us by Mai while she was in a trance. We are not sure how exactly she did it because from past experiences Mai usually ends up falling asleep when she sees visions but today she knew these events while she was awake and had just gone into a trance like state. The only thing we are sure of is her abilities are growing." Lin continued the explanation while watching Naru, who up until this point was silent. But if you looked at him closely you'll notice that he was gripping his notebook so tight it made his knuckles turn white.
"Oi, what do you mean Mai's abilities are growing? I thought that the jou-chan only has a latent type ability " Bou-san demanded, not liking what is going on.
Shinji answered, "It is true that Mai has latent type ability, but please also keep in mind that Mai was still untrained when you first met her. I remember her mentioning her abilities only manifested completely during one of your cases."
Naru, who had not said a word, finally gave his cent into the conversation, "It is true. It was because of some certain circumstances I had Mai take a test and the results of the test confirmed Mai's latent type ability."
"But what does this have to do with Mai's growing abilities?" Bou-san asked getting impatient.
Martin was the one to answer, "I believe what Shinji-san is trying to point out is that Mai's other abilities are starting to manifest. Now that she has gained some control over her current abilities due to her training. You can liken this to a persons learning a certain skill set."
"I think I can and understand it somehow, when a person learns a skill it would take time but the more you times you do it the easier it becomes and you will learn other things as well. Like a child who first crawls, walk, run and next thing you know the child is already riding a bicycle." Ayako commented.
Martin nodded his head, "Correct, a psychic's abilities are the same. With continuous use you will also notice it is easier to use your abilities and they continue to grow." He then turned towards Masako. "I assume you had the same experience as well Masako-san."
Masako nodded, "When I was a child I had a hard time communicating with the spirits and got really frustrated. I didn't know how to use my abilities but as time goes by I could now understand and sense them better." She answered with her mouth covered by the sleeve of her kimono.
Everyone was quiet trying to absorb what was just discussed. "So basically I already had this kind of ability since I was a child but it is only now that I'm able to use it because of the training that I'm getting." Mai confirmed.
"Well, I'm glad your brain cells weren't fried with all the explanations." He smirked at the girl who was turning bright red in anger. "Though I'm quite glad to know that you're actually starting to grow some brain cells."
"You jerk, who're you calling an idiot?" Mai shouted at him. The others were laughing at the, the tension finally lifted from Naru's comment. Madoka and Luella didn't berate Naru because they knew it was his own way of ensuring Mai was fine and wouldn't wallow in her thoughts.
"As far as I remember I didn't call you an idiot, you were the one who called yourself as such." Naru answered back with a smirk. But before Mai could retort back, Naru turned his back against the fuming girl to turn his attention towards the others, "For now we'll leave Mai's training to Shinji and the others. There is nothing we could do to stop Mai's abilities since it would not benefit her or anyone else if we do so." Everyone nodded their heads with Mai still glaring daggers at the back of Naru's head.
"We've been way laid from our discussion regarding tbd case I've taken." This had them focusing on Naru as he looked at his notes. "The case we will be handling was requested by Mr. Robertson." He paused and tried to compose himself, despite not showing any outward signs he was still quite rattled with what was discussed regarding Mai.
He then proceeded with his discussion ob the case, "From what has been gathered so far, Mr. Robertson decided to buy a town house. The moment they started living in the house, they started to experience activity like doors closing, lights going on and off, rapping noises and the like. The activity they had were mostly poltergeist."
Bou-san commented, "If the activity is mostly poltergeist then it might have been caused by one of his children."
"That would be the basic presumption, but from Mr. Robertson's details he and his wife do not have any children which removes the chances of this having any form of human intervention." Naru answered looking at his notes. While the others were processing the information, he continued, "Another thing found in their home which will fully remove our theory of a living person being the cause of this is that they were able to find a pentagram in their basement along with other paraphernalia relating to the dark arts." Everyone gasped at this new information.
"Is there a possibility this was left behind by the previous owners of the house?" Lin asked his charge.
Naru nodded, "Yes, it is possible. Since from what Mr. Robertson said, the previous owners were eager to sell the house for a low price."
Shinji, who was listening to the discussion, pointed out what was on everyone's minds, "Then it is possible that what we are going to face is a consequence of a ritual gone wrong."
Bou-san wryly commented, "Of course, it is the cliche of we summoned something and we don't want it anymore so let's pass the problem to some other poor, unsuspecting bloke."
"Well it's the case in a nutshell, as for what was done or summoned is something we still do not know. We still also cannot disregard the house's history, since this could have already existed long before and whatever must have been done in the house could have released it." Naru answered. He then turned his attention towards Madoka and Yasuhara. "I'll leave any information gathering to the both of you, try to find as much information you can regarding the house and former occupants."
Madoka nodded her head, Yasuhara saluted and said, "Got it boss."
Mai asked worriedly, "Hey, Naru, do you think it would be wise for you to bring your students with us? And what about Mr. Robertson and his wife? Maybe it is not safe to stay at the house, after all it might be a demon we are facing." She prattled on, while Shinji, Lin, Kourin and Keiki stiffened when they felt Mai's power fluctuate and turned their attention towards Mai. Naru noticing their reaction, took note of what Mai said regarding the demon and he feels that Mai just hit the nail on the head. This will make the investigation much more dangerous.
"I've already handled those things Mai. Mr. Robertson and his wife are currently vacating the house temporarily until we solve the case. As for my students, they will only be observing and will remain at base. If things will become serious and any sign of trouble they would be pulled out of the case immediately." Naru answered Mai's queries.
Martin then asked his son, "What about living spaces Noll? Are you planning on remaining on the premises for the duration of the case?"
Naru closed his notebook and answered his father, "I've taken some precautions and we will be staying at a rental house near the site. We will only be entering the house to place the equipments, temperature readings and walkthrough. We will also only be doing this during the morning and will be done in groups or pairs." Martin nodded his head at his son.
Naru addressed his team, "I need you to start preparing all the things you will need. Start making protection charms, the stronger they are the better." Everyone on the team nodded, knowing the seriousness of it all. After the last case they weren't going to take any chances.
Naru turned towards Kourin and Keiki, "Kourin-san and Keiki-san, I hope it wouldn't be too much of a bother for you to help us. After all the both of you aren't officially a part of SPR."
Kourin answered while grinning, "Not at all, we would help as much as we could."
Keiki nodded as well with a smile, "It won't be a bother at all. We are quite willing to be an extra set of hands." He didn't bother to say out loud that it was the best way to ensure Mai's safety.
Naru nodded his head in thanks, "The help would be welcomed, after all we now also have to worry about Mai managing to learn how to sleep with her eyes wide open. The trouble magnet that she is, it isn't surprising that she'll learn this skill set."
"I'm standing right here you know." Mai answered back while grinding her teeth, glaring at her dark haired boss. While the others were snickering at the girl.
"Of course you are here, unless of course you managed to sleep while standing up and with your eyes opened. Try not to hurt yourself, it would be quite a pain in the wallet if you get injured." Naru commented with a dead pan tone of voice but you could see the amusement in his eyes.
"Why you?" Mai said with her hand raised into a fist and was about to lunge at Naru but Bou-san was restraining her.
Naru just smirked at her and continued his way out the door, but before he could completely close the door he turned to Mai, "By the way, Mai tea."
Mai growled and shouted, "Naru you jerk, get back here!" The others just continued to at their antics but despite the happy atmosphere, they were all still worried about what this case would bring them most especially for Mai.
