A/N: Hey everyone, I just want to inform you guys that I've managed to finish editing the other chapter bar the ones I've posted this year which would be chapter 30 onwards. Well then, I hope you will like this next chapter.

Disclaimer: I do not own Ghost Hunt.

-oOo-

Flashback...

Preparations were made for the six to head to Hong Kong. The other members of the team would head back to Japan with Madoka being left in charge of the office, they were assured to be given regular updates. Things are finally unraveling, as for it being good or bad it would depend on who's asking or answering.

...Flashback

-oOo-

All six of them finally arrived in Hong Kong, a car was waiting for them as they exited the airport. From there they all headed to the Lin's family compound, the drive was made in silence. An air of worry and anxiousness surrounded the group, all they could think off is the seal on Mai and what they will find out about it, whether it was good or bad still remains the question.

As they arrived at the main clan home, they were greeted by Houki, who was waiting for them to arrive. No one commented when the woman hugged Mai longer than what she had given her children, they all knew it was her own way to ensure herself Mai was safe and sound.

They were soon situated in the family room and just sat there, no one wanted to break the silence for they knew once they do so thing would never be the same again. But they also know delaying things won't do them any good which is why Lin opened his mouth to speak but he stopped when Houki raised her hand.

Before Houki spoke, she looked at each of them her gaze lingering on Mai for a moment. "Once we finish dinner you should go and rest from your trip." Noticing their confused looks, she gave them a small smile. "I know from your looks of resignations a while ago, you were ready to be over and done with things even I would like be that way. But for now, I think it would be best if you weren't going to fall flat on your backs because of exhaustion." As she said this, Mai gave out a yawn but soon after blushed when she felt eyes on her and sheepishly said sorry.

Houki just smiled at her granddaughter affectionately, "I prepared some medicated tea for all of you, it would help you to have a good night's rest and prevent you from staying up thinking about what'll happen." She then turned her gaze directly at Naru, "Davis-san, you would need to rest as well with you being bonded to Mai, there is a possibility it might affect you as well or there would be a need for you to anchor her."

Naru wanted to protest since he was hesitant on drinking the medicated tea mostly because he wasn't fond of taking in anything that would knock him out. The times he did end up consuming such things he would have a hard time keeping his PK in check upon waking up from hid drug-induced sleep. Though the look Houki sent him, made him remember that his bond with Mai was two-fold and with that he nodded at Houki to show his understanding. This earned him a nod and smile from the formidable woman.

-oOo-

The next day dawned over the group, each of them anxious of what was to come. Houki gave instructions for Mai to only be given a small breakfast to tide her for the duration of the ritual as well as to settle her stomach. Once Mai has eaten, Houki led the girl to the meditation chambers. "Please sit inside the circle crossed leg." Houki instructed her granddaughter, once she was situated inside the circle, she handed her a mixture.

Mai took the cup from Houki and drank it until the last drop. When she finished, Houki instructed her to lay down on the floor but still remain inside the circle. "Now, I need you to close your eyes. Find your bond with Davis-san and take a hold of it in order to anchor yourself." Houki watched Mai as she did what she was instructed.

Naru was outside the meditation chambers doing the same thing as Mai, though he was seated crossed leg rather than lying down. Lin, Keiko, Kourin and Shinji were with him to keep watch of him as he performed his part of the ritual.

When Houki saw Mai finally in a meditative state, she lighted the incense and allowed its scent to permeate the air. After a few minutes, the seal on Mai's forehead finally appeared. Once she saw this, she place her hand above Mai's forehead without touching the girl and began to chant.

-oOo-

An hour passed, Houki had sweat appearing on her brow from the strain of the ritual but she still continued chanting.

Naru on the other hand, has his jaws clenched tight and body rigid. He was starting to feel the strain of anchoring Mai's spirit to his. There were instances when he felt Mai nearly slipped and he had to spend more energy to anchor her down.

-oOo-

Three hours had passed since they began the ritual, Houki was already on the final leg of the ritual. Still chanting she opened her eyes and began to draw symbols in the air then finally drew a symbol over Mai's forehead.

The seal on Mai's forehead vanished, leaving Houki breathing hard with her hair sticking to her forehead from sweat. Closing her eyes she began to control her breathing and calm her raging heart. When Houki felt composed enough she opened her eyes and checked on Mai, who had fallen asleep as soon as she finished with the ritual. Seeing this, Houki went out of the meditation chamber just in time for Naru to come out of his own meditation.

Naru felt Mai's part of the bond and he somehow felt that she had fallen asleep. This information made him relax and slowly allowed his senses to return. As soon as he opened his eyes he was met with Houki's own. He nodded his head to the woman, already have an idea of what she wanted to know, "Mai is alright, her part of the bond has settled and no longer erratic. My bond with her is stable at best."

Lin, Kourin, Keiki and Shinji were shocked to see the well kept clan head looking so bedraggled as she came out of the room. Though none of them spoke and remained silent of to the side waiting for either Houki or Naru to say something. Hearing Naru's comment about Mai being alright made them take the needed breath only realizing that they were actually holding their breaths.

Houki herself felt relieved to hear Mai was alright since she couldn't exactly say so herself even if she was her asleep considering how her abilities were much more active during sleep. Turning to her youngest son, she ordered, "Go and take Mai to her to let her sleep off the unsealing." Lin nodded and went inside the meditation chamber to get his daughter.

Houki then turned to her only daughter and told her to inform the cooks to start preparing lunch. Kourin nodded and went of to the kitchen. Houki looked towards Naru, who was now feeling the strain of the ritual on his body as Shinji and Keiki supported him to stand. He normally would shrug off any help and say he was alright but at the current moment he didn't have any confidence that he would still remain standing up if Shinji and Keiki didn't help him up. His mind felt a little sluggish and it took him a bit more to focus on what Houki was saying.

"Davis-san, please go ahead and rest. You might have only been anchoring Mai but it would still caused your body a lot of strain. We'll wake you up once lunch is served and explanations would be given as well." Houki said to the black clad young man who nodded at her words but she wasn't sure if he still understood what she said with him falling asleep on his feet. She motioned for Keiki and Shinji to take Naru to his room to rest.

If it were any other time and all the members of SPR were present they would have taken the mickey out of Naru for how he looked as he fell asleep while standing. But things weren't meant to be and this occurrence would remain unknown to the others well maybe up until things calmed down.

-oOo-

Dream...

Little Mai was running around the gardens laughing as her father fave chase to her. She was in the park eating ice cream with her father and the both of them grinning at each other as though it was a secret to be kept. Her father was teaching her how to swim, ride a bike, fly a kit and many other things. Birthday celebrations which came and passed.

A woman, with a dark aura surrounding her. Her father in front of her and her mother. Young Mai seeing her father collapse in front of her, "Everything will be alright, my little princess. Smile for me." Everything was swallowed by darkness.

...Dream

-oOo-

Mai woke up with tears running down her face. Remembering all those times she spent with her father until the fateful day he was taken from them. She soon felt someone petting her head, turning around to see who it was she saw her adoptive father. Tears anew, she threw herself at him and cried her heart out for the forgotten years she spent with her father, how she longed for him and be able to see him again. Lin was beside her nor saying anything and just remained as her silent pillar of support, he would wait until she was ready to talk about what is burdening her heart.

Naru knocked on Mai's door, he was woken up by the anguish and turmoil of her emotions. He immediately rushed of to check on her but what he saw as he entered her room was Lin comforting her. Naru decided to let the man handle things, "I'll go inform the others on what's going on." The only sign the man gave to show he heard Naru's words was a nod of his head.

It was a couple of minutes before Mai finally calmed down, she looks up at Lin her eyes red and puffy, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to cry on you. I don't know..."

She was cut off by Lin wiping her face with his handkerchief, "There is nothing for you to apologize for Mai. If you ever need a should to cry on, someone to let out your frustrations on or anything else, I will always be here." He said this to the girl with a gentle and loving smile.

Mai returned his smile though a teary one, "Thank you." She paused and opened her mouth again wanting to tell him about her dream but no words would come out, she tried again but it was the same.

Mai felt a hand on top of her head, looking at Lin who still had the same smile on his face, "Just take your time Mai. No one is forcing you to tell what you've seen. We will wait until you are ready so do not force yourself." Mai nodded her head at Lin who just patted her on the head, "Come on, if you are up to it the others are in the family room waiting for us. You must be hungry as well." As though those words were the magic word, Mai's stomach started to growl. Mai blushed and had a sheepish look on her face with Lin chuckling at her. With that, the both of them headed towards the family room where everyone is waiting.

-oOo-

Once they've eaten and Mai felt a lot more calmer and the questions on how she was feeling answered, things were about to become serious. Houki began to explain about the seal, "The seal on Mai wasn't just one but multiple to be exact there were three seals." This made their eyes widened but no one commented as Houki continued with her explanation. "The first seal which I've managed to remove was placed on Mai's memories though partially." This shocked the others though not much on her memories being sealed but more on the partial part. Mai on the other hand looked down at her lap when Houki mentioned the word memories.

Houki looked at her granddaughter, "Mai dead, do you know which memories were unsealed?" Mai nodded her head though she didn't look up.

Mai's voice cracked as she recounted to them what she remembered. About her time with her father up until his death, as well as the woman who had a dark aura surrounding her. Kourin went to Mai and hugged her as her body was racked with silent tears. The others had sad looks on their faces though they still noted what Mai said about her father's death.

When Mai calmed down enough to manage a sip of tea, Naru turned to Houki, "Houki-sama, what did you mean about multiple seals?" He asked the woman, he still wanted to know about the circumstances about the death of Mai's father bit didn't want to have the girl distraught again and he decided to move the topic away from it.

Naru's question had the others, including Mai turn their attention to Houki. The woman took a deep breath knowing the next explanation she would give would bring up a lot of questions, "The first seal I broke was actually the easiest. The second seal is actually for her abilities though it also sealed some parts of her memories." They all looked confusedly at Houki.

"What do you mean, mother? Does this have something to do with you saying Mai's memories were partially unsealed?" Kourin asked trying to connect the dots but their were still quite a lot of holes for her to make a concrete conclusion.

Houki nodded, "Yes, it does have something to do with Mai's memories partially being unsealed. Though for the second seal, the seal on Mai's memories was only an off shoot of her abilities being sealed."

The others were shocked at this, with Lin frowning. "I hoped my suspicions weren't correct." They all turned towards Lin when they heard his comment.

Houki narrowed her eyes at her youngest, "What suspicions are you referring to?"

Lin closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose, looking at them he answered, "When we found out Mai was missing most of her memories of her father, I had thought of the possibility it wasn't only her memories of her father were the only thing alerted someway or another. I didn't say anything at the time because I didn't want to alarm anyone until I have a concrete evidence." The room was enveloped in silence as he finished his explanation. All of them understood why he didn't inform them immediately.

Houki finally broke the silence, "The only problem we have now is to what other memories were sealed. The only thing I've gathered so far from the second seal is that it is for protection and should only unravel once Mai turns eighteen." They all turned to Houki in confusion but before they could ask she raised her hand. "I know what you are going to ask but for now let me finish with my explanation and if you still have clarifications later on I'll answer them."

They all nodded at Houki, "Very well, as I said the second seal should only unravel when Mai turns eighteen but her bonding with Davis-san caused some of her abilities to be released thus agitating the seal. It shouldn't have been revealed that easily, since Mai and Davis-san's bonding has stabilized. But because of the first seal being activated the second seal somehow activated partially and became dormant again once I've removed the first seal." She paused in her explanation and checked if the others were still able to follow so far."

From there she explained the first seal was placed on Mai by her father, earning a nod from the girl. The seal Mai's father placed on her wasn't actually for her memory of him to be sealed away but only the memory of his death, but because he was already weak at the time he inadvertently included Mai's memories of him seal as well. Houki soon had a contemplative look on her face, "Though the seal Mai's father placed on Mai should only become apparent if Mai becomes aware of it."

Lin asked his mother, "What of the lecture? Wouldn't it have caused it? The seal did appear during the time of the lecture." The other five nodding their agreement.

Houki shook her head, "No, the lecture doesn't have anything to do with it. Mai would have to become aware of it directly not by hearing about seals or what not."

They furrowed their brows at Houki's answer, Mai was raising her hand, "Umm, would me thinking my memories were sealed have an effect?"

They all turned to the girl, who had an sheepish look. "What do you mean?" Kourin asked her niece with a narrowed gaze.

"Umm, well you see, I might have thought of having my memories off handedly during the lecture." Mai answered as she shrunk into herself when all eyes were on her.

Kourin sighed, "That'll do. Mai honey please don't forget to tell us this things." Mai bowed and said sorry.

"Well we have the answer to why the first seal activated and because of it being interwoven somehow with the first, it caused a domino effect." Houki explained though had a grim look on her face.

Lin finally asked what has been bothering him from the beginning of Houki's explanation, "Mother, from what you said a while ago you've managed to remove the first seal, why hadn't you removed the second one?" This made the others aware of what he meant.

Houki closed her eyes and sighing, she looked older than her real age. "Removing the first seal normally, shouldn't have taken me close to three hours to finish. But it took longer than necessary because I had to be careful not to agitate the second seal further and I was released when it became dormant again." She looked at them wearily, "The second seal has me worried because it has an unknown seal and curse attached to it." They all paled at the mention of a curse, both Lin and Naru, Kourin having exchanged places with him, were comforting a distraught Mai.

"Do you know what the seal and curse are for, mother?" Keiki asked with a frown on his face. Things were becoming worse than they've expected.

Houki looked grim, "I tried to find out what it was for but everytime I get close to it, Mai acts negatively." Naru remembered the times he felt through their bond when Mai nearly slipped away. "The only thing I've managed to find out is the curse and third seal weren't for Mai. The curse and third seal interweaving with the second seal is only accidental. The second seal as well as the third has the same spiritual energy which makes its caster to be the same individual. The curse on the other hand has a different aura surrounding it." They were all quiet thinking about the current information.

"Since the unknown seal and curse aren't for my then removing the second one wouldn't cause any problem." Kourin commented.

Shinji answered, "Not exactly." All those in the room turned around to listen to his explanation. "From what Lady Houki explained, the third seal and curse are intertwined with the second. If that were the case there is still a possibility both the seal and curse would affect Mai instead." There were still questioning glances sent his way so he expounded on his explanation. "There are types of curses when touched or agitated would be sensed by the caster, if the caster is alive he/she could activate it before its removal." Houki confirming that it was the case for the curse though she still doesn't know what the curse would do.

Naru, who stayed beside Mai to comfort her, hadn't said a word until now, "In summary, the two remaining seals and curse are too interwoven with each other had made them into one and no longer considered separate." This earned nods from both Shinji and Houki. "Thus breaking any of the three would alert the caster, if still alive, and might activate the curse." This earned him nods again but he still continued with his explanation, "Since the the seals and curse have persisted in Mai for so long it is possible she would receive the brunt of the curse if activated."

Shinji answered with a grim look, "Yes, in a nutshell." All of them had grim looks by then.

Lin asking, "What should we do now then? Are we going to wait until Mai turns eighteen for the second seal to be removed?" Despite asking he already had a feeling the answer he would receive was one he wouldn't like.

Houki sighed for umpteenth time, "Waiting for Mai to turn is not an option since there is a possibility the curse would activate with preamble as it conforms to the clause of the second seal. We could wait until we find out what the curse is but it is still not an option with Mai's growing abilities. The last one would be to find the caster of the curse which is better said than done." They all begin to lose hope since all the options they have were not something they could easily do. The first two would endanger Mai and the third would be like searching for a needle in a hay stack.

Their musings were cut short by the very girl they were worried for, "I'm not sure why but something tells me we should go to my childhood home and we'll find answers there." Mai had her hand clenched above her heart.

They all turned to Mai, who didn't notice their gazes. Naru placed a hand on Mai's shoulder which gained her attention. She turned to him as he started to speak, "Alright, we'll head to your childhood home." Mai's eyes widened but soon smiled when she saw everyone give their agreements as well. It wasn't hard for them to agree since if Mai said they'll find answers then they will definitely get answers.

They all then turned to Houki when she started to speak, "While you head to Mai's childhood home, I'll continue researching what those seals and curse are from here. Though I haven't been able to full check what they are what I have is enough of a start." She also added that the second seal prevents Mai from saying or remembering things until the right time which must be why she feels certain things.

They all nodded at her with Lin sayin he'll go and book their flights to Japan but before he could leave Mai spoke, "Thank you everyone for helping me." They all just smiled at the girl which she returned ten fold, "I know it would be hard but I also know good things will meet us at the end of the tunnel. Everything will be alright." The certainty in her voice renewed their hope and they will do everything they can to ensure Mai would be safe.

-oOo-

As they all left the family room to prepare for their trip back to Japan, Mai held Naru back. "Hey, Naru, thanks for believing in me when I said we should go to my childhood home even with how strange it was."

Naru sighed and flicked Mai on the forehead, "You really are an idiot. You must have fallen asleep with your eyes wide open when Houki-sama was explaining about the second seal." Before Mai could retort Naru continued with his comment, "Even if she hadn't said that your intuition has been spot on since the first time we met. It hasn't failed us before it won't fail as now." Mai still had a worried look on her face and was biting her lips so Naru flicked her again on the forehead, "Stop worrying idiot unless you want all your remaining brain cells to be fried by your thoughts."

Mai glared at Naru while rubbing her forehead, "Do you really have to flick me on the forehead and call me an idiot thrice?" Naru just smirked at her and left Mai fuming as she returned back to her room.

-oOo-

A/N: I hoped you liked it. Sorry if it seems short. Please tell me what you think.