Balm for a Broken Soul
By: Ryu Katanna
Beta:
Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
A/N: A lot of the dialogue will be familiar as the chapters do follow the anime and manga. There are more parts that are original to the story, but I've done this to stay close to the original while also telling Kagome's side of the story. There will be more deviations we get farther in.
*-* Speaking Chinese
Episode 14: Forbidden Pastime Part One
It was early morning a couple of weeks into January when Kagome found herself following Kazuya into a building she knew well with Houshou and Mai right behind her. Kagome looked around the entry to see that nothing had changed visibly in the years since she had last been there. The halls were quiet as all of the students were in class, but Kagome was filled with a sense of unease. The air felt heavier than she remembered and the sensation tingled across her skin as it caused the finer hairs to raise in a warning.
"Thanks for coming. I'll show you to the principal's office." Yasuhara Osamu, the student body president who had visited the office two days before, greeted them as they came through the doors.
Kagome looked over to the reception desk to find that instead of woman she remembered being there; it was now a man who watched them suspiciously with a dour expression. She wasn't the only one that noticed the look they were all receiving from the man. Mai fidgeted nervously and Monk looked away to avoid the man's gaze while Kazuya completely ignored him. Kazuya, Houshou, and Mai followed Yasuhara around the corner to the principal's office, but Kagome paused long enough to give the man a small bow of greeting in an effort to be respectful before she took up a slow walk behind them.
"Well, that was uncomfortable." Mai said to Houshou who was walking next to her.
"In my experience, schools don't like outsiders coming in." He told her, and Kagome knew that while that was true, there were a few exceptions that she could remember.
"Maybe they're just suspicious of you Monk." Mai joked with the man as Kagome slowly caught up with them.
"Oh, get real. Have you seen Lin?" Houshou asked as he glanced back at Kagome to see that while she had come, the quiet man who was often found close to either her or their boss was absent.
"He's waiting back at the office to hear what kind of equipment we'll need to use. I guess Ayako's coming with him. John and Masako will be here tomorrow." Mai replied as they came up to a door and Yasuharu knocked before waiting to be acknowledged.
"Come in." An older man's voice answered the knock in a stern tone from inside the room.
"Excuse me, sir. The people from Shibuya Psychic Research have arrived. This is their manager-" Yasuhara started introductions promptly upon entering the room only to be interrupted by a voice that Kagome hadn't heard in years.
"Look, I don't need to know their names. Just fix the problem, and do it quickly. Ghosts? I don't believe it. It's nonsense! What will the board of directors say when they find out I've hired ghost chasers to handle this!" Mr. Yagashima said almost aggressively, only looking up when Kagome stepped around the rest of the team to stand in his line of sight.
"Good afternoon, sir." Kagome smiled softly as she bowed respectfully to the man sitting behind the desk.
"Miss. Higurashi, now isn't this a surprise." Mr. Yagashima's eyebrows raised in surprise at her appearance in his office.
"Indeed it is, sir." Kagome replied as she straightened from her bow with a small smile.
"I'm in the middle of a meeting at the moment, but if you don't mind waiting then I can speak with you afterward." Mr. Yagashima's aggressive tone seemed to fade to a softer one when speaking to the woman and Kazuya watched the scene with inquisitive eyes at the change in the man's demeanor.
"Actually sir, I am here on behalf of the Sunset Shrine as a consultant to Shibuya Psychic Research. I just wanted to come today to greet you personally, and to see how my old school is doing after so many years." Kagome's smile stayed cordial as the man's expression slackened.
"I see. I had heard you were working outside the shrine more often lately from Shigeshiko." Mr. Yagashima nodded understandingly.
"Yes, sir. Souta has almost completed his training to take over the shrine from our grandfather, and so I have been left with more time. Shibuya Psychic Research is indeed reputable, I assure you. I would not work with them if they were anything less." Kagome assured the man that unlike some others, SPR was not full of frauds who were only after the money.
"Well, you were one of our top students during your time here. Despite the chance we took on you after your illnesses in Middle School. You've shown to have good judgment before, and so I will trust your word on this now." Mr. Yagashima replied as the man standing next to his desk scowled as he turned their attention to the student who was still standing with them in the room.
"Yasu, why are you not in class?" The man asked and Kagome paused as she didn't recognize him either.
She took her time to observe him for a moment before knowing she would find this man's presence distasteful. His aura told her well enough that he was a bully who took out his own insecurities on other people. The tone he spoke to the teen with was both gruff and lacking any respect. She was actually a bit startled at his rude tone as he called the teen by a shortened version of his name. It was one thing for a friend or family member to address the teen as such, but Kagome had never heard a teacher address a student so informally during her time as a student.
"I have a shortened schedule today, sir." Yasuhara answered as he turned to look at the man from where he had been watching his principal speak to the woman who had been quiet both times he had met her.
"Is that so?" The man asked as he placed his hands on his hips.
"I wouldn't worry, but... if it's alright I'd like to keep this brief. I need to help them get settled, and I'd hate for it to cut into my studying time." Yasuhara replied with a disarming smile and Kagome held back a chuckle at how easily the teen steered the conversation.
"Well, Yasu, you are one of our best students. I trust you're on top of things. Mr. Matsuyama, would you please show them to the conference room?" Mr. Yagashima asked as he looked over at the other man who Kagome guessed was either the Vice Principal now or a newer teacher who frowned a bit as he nodded.
Kagome paused at the familiar form of address Mr. Yagashima used as well. She knew that Yasu must be a nickname the teen went by for the man to have called him that. He was a good man though he could be a bit gruff. He was also very strict and it reflected in the way the teachers at the school taught. Still, he treated all of the students equally in that he expected only the best from every one of them.
"Thank you for taking the time to speak with us, Mr. Yagashima. I hope to see you and your family at the next festival." Kagome said as she bowed again before stepping back to follow after Mr. Matsuyama, who had already started for the door.
"Of course, Miss. Higurashi. I will speak to my wife on the subject. Good day." Mr. Yagashima said with a small nod as he dismissed her.
"Good day." Kagome returned the farewell before turning to follow the group out; shutting the door softly behind her.
"So, you're the one running this show? How old are you?" Mr. Matsuyama asked as he eyed Kazuya skeptically.
"I'm seventeen." He answered the question simply as he glanced at Kagome when she came up to walk next to him.
"And you're not in school?" Mr. Matsuyama asked snidely as he eyed the teen.
"I'll leave that up to your imagination." Kazuya smirked at seeing the sour expression on the man's face at his response, and Kagome hid her small smile knowing that Kazuya wouldn't let anyone push him around.
"Pffh. Is that what you told your parents when you decided to become a dropout?" Mr. Matsuyama asked as he faced forward again and tried to regain his air of superiority.
"I don't know where this occult garbage comes from, but I do know that young minds are impressionable, and people like you take full advantage of that. I'm not afraid to admit that the idea of you profiting off this scam makes me sick to my stomach. If it were my choice, I'd throw you out. Come, in here." Mr. Matsuyama continued as they finally reached the room where they would be setting up a base and sliding open the door and walking inside.
Kagome looked over at the movement in the hall to find Houshou holding onto Mai's arms. The girl had a look of aggravation on her face as her leg was stuck out in front of her like she had tried to kick the man. Houshou was calm even as she tried to pull away from his grip, but Houshou refused to let go of her.
"Watch it, Mai. You're wearing a skirt." He said before pulling her up to stand properly and Kagome shook her head before following Yasu and Kazuya into the room that held a few tables, chairs, and shelves with binders and books that were used as reference material.
"This seems decent enough to set up base. What's up first?" Houshou asked looking around the room once he'd released Mai and both of them came in to look around the room.
"Let's see... Why don't we start by rounding up and talking to all the students that's been involved." Kazuya suggested as he looked at Houshou.
Kagome walked past them knowing already that she would need to take down the notes from the interviews. Taking hold of the strap on her shoulder, she lifted the laptop bag to place it on the nearest table. She started unzipping it to set up her computer to get everything ready. She would have to do the initial interviews until lin arrived with the equipment.
"I can get them for you if you like." Yasu volunteered his time.
"Just do it quickly. I have things to do myself." Mr. Matsuyama said and Kagome glanced up at the man knowing that Kazuya wouldn't allow him to stay.
"Actually, you're free to leave. Thank you for your help." Kazuya said, confirming her thoughts as she set the empty computer bag next to the leg of the table.
"I'm staying here. It's my job to manage and keep an eye on the students." Mr. Matsuyama said as he looked up at Kazuya from his chair like the teen was stupid.
"Once they're involved in a haunting, the victim becomes a client of mine, and as my client, it is imperative I ensure their privacy." Kazuya stated as he didn't bend to the man's 'authority' at all.
"Since when are children allowed privacy? I can see what's going on here. You're trying to get rid of me because I make you uncomfortable." Mr. Martsuyama accused them as he tried to get a rise out of Kazuya, but of course, failed miserably.
"A client is a client; regardless of age. Now, please go." Kazuya stated firmly, and Kagome could tell that he was starting to get a bit annoyed with the man and his persistent rudeness.
"I'd like to know what they were thinking by calling in some kid that believes in fairy tales to do a man's job." Mr. Matsuyama said as he grew more aggressive in his manner of speech, and Kagome looked up from setting up her computer to lock her gaze on him.
"Okay. Then go and ask the principal." He shot back and she was about to lose her patience with the man as she jumped out of his chair.
"What!" Mr. Matsuyama shouted and Kagome shifted her stance to get between him and Kazuya in case he became violent.
"He's right. The principal did hire us. Talk to him." Houshou chuckled as Mai tried to hide her own mirth as she turned away with a hand over her mouth.
"It's fine by me. Let him be to blame when you kids destroy the school." Mr. Mastuyama yelled as he walked out of the room and slid the door shut with a slam.
"What the heck! That guy's an idiot! A real jerk! How is he supposed to manage the students when he can't even manage himself? He may be top dog around here, but he needs to be housebroken!" Mai proclaimed as she pointed a finger at the door and stood with a hand on her hip.
"You're making a scene, Mai." Houshou told her as he tried to remind her where they were.
"Ah, don't worry about it. She's hilarious!" Yasu laughed and Kagome could see Mai starting to look a little sheepish for acting out.
"I'm impressed, Naru. I was expecting you to unload on the guy any second. I was definitely fighting the urge." Houshou said having seen how Kagome's posture had stiffened until the man left the room.
"There's no use in lecturing a pig." Kazuya said as Kagome nodded in agreement.
"A person like him only thrives when he thinks he's in a position of power over others." Kagome added as she shook her head and moved to find an outlet to plug her computer in.
"It's like... You already know him." Yasu said with amusement and his fingers clasping his chin like he was thinking about something.
"This is for you, Yasu. A list of all the students that have been involved so far. Once class has ended, bring them all to this room." Kazuya instructed as he held out the list to Yasu only for all of them to startle from the scream that came from down the hall.
Kagome was the first one out of the room as old instincts kicked in. She could hear Houshou say something from behind her as the others followed. Coming to a stop in front of the classroom she found the cause of the girl's scream. A phantom stood amid the scattering of desks, chairs, and students in the form of a dog that growled as it bared its fangs.
"The one we're here for." Kazuya said after he and Houshou had followed her into the room.
As if his words were its que, the dog phantom charged with an aggressive bark. Kazuya and Houshou moved to get out of the way as Kagome took a defensive stance. Before she could bring her purifying energy to the surface of her palms, the dog tool an impossible leap through the air right over her before fading in the hall.
"It's gone!" Yasu said in disbelief as Kagome frowned before turning away from the hall and reaching outward with her aura.
What she found honestly shocked her enough the cause her breath to catch.
"What is it, Kagome?" Kazuya asked her quietly as he noticed she had frozen even while the remaining students in the room moved past them and into the hall.
"There are so many spirits gathered here, Kazuya. Something very strange is going on." Dark brown eyes were glazed as they shifted around the room with an almost sightlessness though Kazuya knew that the woman was seeing something that couldn't be found to a normal person.
What had stunned Kagome was the spiritual residue. It was everywhere. She had gone to this school. There had never been anything like this during her time here. Spirits had gathered here some time since she had graduated. She would have to wait until Masako got there, but she wouldn't know what they were really dealing with until then. What she did know was that this wasn't a typical haunting.
They needed more information.
"Kagome!" Houshou's voice pulled her out of her light trance as he called for her.
Kagome and Kazuya both turned to see Mr. Matsuyama gruffly ordering the students back into the room to straighten the desks and chairs back up. Houshou stood among the students as Mai was helping another girl to stand. Now out of her trance, Kagome hurried over to them to look the girl over as her medic training kicked in. It didn't take her long to find that she wasn't badly hurt though the mark on her leg looked like she had been bitten by a dog.
"Let's get you to the nurse's office. Anyone else that is hurt come as well. Yasu, could you take her. Mai, you come help me. Kazuya, I'll be back after I make sure they're patched up. We can start talking to the students then." Kagome said before directing them toward the nurse's office.
"Hey, Yasu." Kagome could hear Kazuya call out, but she ignored the conversation as she helped another girl down the hall.
Mai and Yasu would catch up. Right now she just wanted to concentrate on making sure the student's wounds were treated. They hadn't been there for more than an hour, and already people had been hurt. It made her worry about what might happen to the SPR team.
123
Kagome's eyes flickered from one student to the next as she did both her and Lin's job. Her attention was divided as she listened to the accounts of their experiences, writing them out as Lin usually did, and observing their auras while adding the notes of what she found through her Second Sight as well. Luckily, Houshou was buys keeping track of the locations of where all these instances occurred. There were too many for her to keep track of with as preoccupied as she was.
"Whoa! Slow down!" Houshou's voice calling out drew her attention away from the girls as she paused in typing out the file when they started listing occurrences one after the other.
"This place is messed up." Mai said as Kagome's eyes were drawn to the flicker of blue the washed over the sickly yellow in one girl's aura.
"I heard someone say they've seen Sakauchi." The girl said and Kagome focused on her as the thread of blue that represented sadness entered the aura's of a few of the other girl's at the mention of this person.
"I heard that, too. They passed him in the hallway or something." The girl behind her added.
I heard he was seen in a classroom." The girl next to her said and Kagome stopped typing to focus on what they were saying.
"Sakauchi? Who is that?" Kazuya asked the question that was on Kagome's mind as well.
"Um... He was a freshman that went here. He committed suicide." Another one of the girls answered and Kagome's fingers clenched at the way someone so young had died.
"All of this weird stuff started happening sometime last fall. It was right after Sakauchi decided to take his own life. I mean... If you look at the timing of the whole thing it can't all just be coincidence." Another girl in the group said as Kagome could see the fear grown in the girls.
"And when you think about the suicide note he left it's even more chilling." The girl next to her said.
"What'd it say?" Kazuya asked, and Kagome could tell that he thought this would be important information.
She had to agree with him, but she also had a bad feeling.
"Just one sentence. 'I'm not a dog.'" The same girl answered and Kagome froze; getting a subtle glance from Kazuya.
"Do you know what it could mean?" Kazuya asked as he tapped his finger in thought.
"Yeah, I do think I know what it means. Everyone who goes to this school has thought about it. I do all the time." The girl answered and Kagome stood from her chair to go stand by the window.
She tried to tune the rest of their conversation out. She had a horrible feeling she knew what it was about. That she knew why Sakauchi had gone so far as to kill himself. Dark brown eyes closed against the light coming in from outside the window.
"Kagome." Kagome had been so lost in thoughts and old memories that she hadn't even noticed the girls leaving until Kazuya called for her.
Dark brown eyes met dark blue as she turned around to face the teen. Noticing that the SPR team was alone in the room, Kagome returned to her seat next to Kazuya. She ignored the conversation between Houshou and Mai. Kazuya watched her intently, and she knew that he would be wanting to speak with her a bit later. Most likely when they wouldn't be overheard by anyone else.
It was no sooner than Kagome had started sorting the file on her computer that the door slid open once again.
"Excuse me." Yasu said quietly as he slid the door shut behind him and taking the seat in front of Kazuya.
"Yasu. Are you a victim of this haunting as well?" Kazuya asked as he turned his attention away from Kagome and back to their job.
"Yes, I am." Yasu confirmed as he settled himself into the chair.
"Great. Could you tell me everything you remember from the experience?" Kazuya asked as Kagome started adding into the file for the case with Yusuhara's name and status as a student.
"Well, it all started just this morning when an awful nauseating smell came into our classroom." Yasu started before explaining how the students had felt sick from the smell and what the teacher's reaction to the situation had been.
"That's horrible." Kagome could hear Houshou say from behind her as she finished typing.
"Do you know if the smell is still there?" Kazuya asked and Yasu nodded.
"Yeah. We opened a window after class, but it didn' really help much." Yasu answered, and Kazuya stood from his chair as he spoke.
"Let's go check it out. Kagome, I want you to stay here in case any other students stop by. I also want you to call Lin and let him know what equipment we will need. This is the second event within only a few hours. We'll need to get started on this quickly." Kazuya said as he glanced at Kagome and motioned for Houshou and Mai to follow him.
"I'm on it." Kagome affirmed as she quickly organized the file while the four of them left the room.
Once the file had been sorted for Lin to look at later, Kagome leaned back in her chair as she released a small breath and looked around the room. She still couldn't believe she was back in this school. From what she was seeing, not much had really changed here aside from the paranormal phenomenon. The teachers seemed to be just as strict as they were during her time there.
'I'm not a dog.'
Her eyes darkened to look black as those words rang through her mind. Grief, frustration, and hopelessness filled her heart. It was a familiar feeling that the words invoked in her. One that was familiar to her after her time at this school.
'I'm a human being.'
A different set of words came to her mind. Words with the same meaning. The same feelings behind them. The same purpose. They had also been the final message of a student at this school.
Trying to push away the old memories and pain that had come to her anew, Kagome shook her head and clenched her hands. She would have to push the thoughts from her mind. She had to be in control of her emotions. She had a job to do now.
"Pull it together." Kagome muttered to herself as she took a deep breath to steady herself before pulling out her phone and making the call she needed.
*Lin.* She said softly once the line had stopped ringing.
*Is something wrong?* Lin's deep voice greeted her and Kagome couldn't help but close her eyes when she felt a rush of warmth.
*You know me well. I had thought I'd gotten my control back.* Kagome smiled softly as she thought about how he had known something was off just from the way she had said his name.
*Hm. What's happened?* He asked, and she could hear him putting something down as he gave her his full attention.
*Just the case. We've already had a few things happen. Kazuya wanted me to let you know what equipment we need.* Kagome said before rattling off the list of things he and Ayako would have to pack into the van from the storage room.
*Alright. We'll be on our way soon, and Kagome...* Lin said as he paused to make sure he had her attention.
*Yes?* She asked as she stood to return to where she had stood looking outside the window earlier.
*Be careful. We'll talk about what else is on your mind when we have some time alone.* He said and Kagome chuckled knowing that he wouldn't leave her to stew in her own mind about what was bothering her.
*Alright. I'll see you soon.* Kagome said as she hit the button to end the call at the same time he did before sighing as she leaned against the window as she thought about the last few weeks.
Things had clicked comfortably into place between her and Lin since New Years'. She had been a bit shy the first few days, but Lin had understood and made it easy for her to be comfortable with him once again. They had made it a point to have dinner every other day or so either alone or with Kazuya. A least one day a week they would go out on a date with just the two of them. They had already spent a lot of time together before because of work, and Kagome helping Kazuya, but now they took to spending time together outside of work as well. Kagome was still a bit afraid of having her heartbroken, but she reminded herself every time that Lin was nothing like Inuyasha had been.
So much had changed since last April, and for the first time in a long time, Kagome was looking forward to the future.
"When will Lin be here?" Kazuya asked as he entered the room with Houshou; drawing Kagome out of her thoughts.
"He and Ayako are loading the van now. They'll be here within the next two hours. What's going on?" Kagome asked seeing that Houshou looked a bit strained.
"Oh, just that we found out that the students have been ouji boarding." Houshou said angrily, and Kagome couldn't help it as her spine stiffened.
"What?" Kagome asked; her disbelief audible in her voice.
"Yeah, and apparently it's not just a few of the students. At least half the school is involved. Mai and Yasu are checking around right now about it." Houshou said, and Kagome shook her head.
"Honestly? Great. Well, we'll talk about it when they get back then. Just take some time to calm down for now Houshou." Kagome said knowing that the amount of residue she had sensed in the one classroom alone was odd.
Could the students be the cause? Even if they were ouji boarding it didn't mean that they would necessarily summon a spirit. These were normal kids. Who knew if they were even doing it properly.
"Monk, compile the list of the locations we will need to investigate. Kagome, I want to talk to you a moment." Kazuya said; drawing Kagome's attention from where she was watching her cousin scowl as he tried to calm down.
"What is it, Kazuya?" Kagome asked as she watched the teen lean against the other side of the same window she was.
"What is going on with you?" Kazuya asked as he cut straight to the point.
"I don't know what you mean." Kagome said stubbornly though she knew well enough what he was talking about.
"Kagome." Kazuya's tone was unyielding and she knew he wouldn't just drop it.
"I'll be fine, Kazuya. I just have something on my mind. It's not important to the case, I promise. Just something one of the girls said that brought back some old memories." Kagome told him as she clasped his shoulder; brushing her fingers against the bare skin of his neck as she brushed his aura with her own in a transfer of energy.
It was a familiar feeling by now. One that came with the ease of having done it every day for months. It strengthened the bond that had been forged between them, but also told Kazuya that Kagome still held a tight rein on her emotions. She might be a little sad, but she wasn't going to be falling apart on him.
"Alright." He conceded knowing that she wouldn't tell him if it wasn't important.
'She has Lin now. If she tells anyone, it'll be him.' Kazuya though as he watched Yasu enter the room and start talking to Monk while they waited on Mai.
"I'll do my scan of the grounds after Lin and Ayako get here. Once the equipment has been set up then I'll have the time and it should be quiet enough that I won't be distracted." Kagome told him as she watched the teen that had been inordinately helpful during this case talking quietly with her cousin.
"That will be fine." He replied before turning his attention inward and Kagome knew that he was thinking about the case now.
Knowing that the conversation was over, Kagome settled herself back against the window to wait for Mai. She couldn't help but wonder what Lin would make of this case. It was one thing for a few students to experiment with ouji boarding, but the whole school? Nothing like that had been done in her time at the school. Though she could see how it would be something that the students here might think of. To change one's fortune in luck or love. Who wouldn't?
Still, it was irresponsible to mess with things you didn't understand. If the activity was caused by the ouji boarding then the students were the ones responsible. It was just sad to think that even the students who had taken no part in it were being affected. Many of them attended school here and dealt with the harsh teaching methods because of this school's positive reputation when it came to getting into a good college.
"I'm back!" Mai called out as she slid open the door and entered the room; sounding as cheerful as she usually was.
"Almost everyone I talked to said they'd done it at least once." She continued promptly as she held onto the stack of papers Kagome knew she would have to type up to add to the files on the computer.
"I spoke to some who do it multiple times a day." Yasu added with a little disbelief as he glanced down at the papers in his own hands.
"Ahh... Are you okay with doing so much work for us?" Mai asked Yasu; who had been helpful with gathering information as well as the other students all day.
"Yeah, it's fine!" Yasu replied easily, and Kagome could tell that he was actually having some fun helping them.
"Oh, man! This is way worse than I thought. The entire student body is ouji boarding. How many spirits do you think we're dealing with here?" Houshou asked in both exasperation and frustration as all he could see was the work ahead of him.
"Quite a few." Mai replied as if he should have realized that much.
"This school is like a cattle car crammed to capacity." Houshou continued with the dramatics.
"That's one way to put it." Mai responded as Kagome shook her head lightly at her cousin's antics.
"Are you prepared for what's to come, Naru? What about you, Kagome? Using ouji boards incorrectly can dredge up some really nasty stuff, and I am not looking forward to it." Houshou asked as they both chose to ignore the question.
"I hope you can do something about the-" Yasu started to say only to be interrupted as Houshou came up to him and gripped his shoulders as he continued with what looked to almost be a pout on his face.
"Ohh! I'll teach you how to drive out spirits so you can do it. Yeah, right! That's it. Sound good to you?" Houshou was almost whining by this point and Kagome was about to scold him for his work ethic when Mai clenched her fists at her sides.
"Monk!" Mai shouted irritatedly causing Houshou to quickly put Yasu between him and the teenage girl.
"Hey, stop it! I'm a pacifist." Houshou replied playfully; having gotten a reaction he apparently wanted to continue whatever game he was playing.
"Of all the schools in Japan, how many do you think take part in ouji boarding?" Kazuya asked as he distracted them in order to get them back on task while they waited for Lin and Ayako to arrive with the equipment.
"I would assume not many so I can see how it would be odd that so many practice it here." Yasu replied thoughtfully as his attention was pulled away from Mai and Houshou.
"Just because a group of kids hold an amateur seance doesn't mean a spirit will be summoned. Now let's assume that someone succeeded in calling on a spirit, and if that spirit happened to be a very strong one I could see it doing some damage. Be it physical or mental, but I just can't see that happening on such a wide scale." Kazuya said and Kagome nodded in agreement.
"I know..." Houshou replied thoughtfully as Kagome spoke.
"Even if the students did manage to perform the seances correctly, it is improbable that they would actually summon spirits as strong as the ones we are seeing. Though the level of spirit activity we are seeing here could be attracting their attention and drawing them here." She said to Kazuya knowing that with so many weaker spirits gathering from amateur seances it could have draw attention from stronger spirits.
"So, can playing with a ouji board really summon spirits?" Mai asked and Kagome almost rolled her eyes at the question.
Did the girl not understand anything about what they were just discussing. Honestly, if the girl was going to work in this business she should really do some research on her own time. There was only so much you could depend on when you just learned on the job. She should consider it even more so because of her own abilities. The psychic ki she put out when using those abilities would draw attention from the other side as it was.
Right now she was just lucky that Eugene's spirit was helping to mask her presence on the spiritual plane. Mai couldn't depend on Eugene forever though. Once they found him, Kagome would reunite and bind his spirit to his brother's. Kazuya and Lin would be returning Eugene's body to England when that happened.
"Yeah, if you're a spiritualist." Houshou replied simply as he looked at Mai, and Kagome knew she would have to talk to him later.
"I was able to summon a ghost once when I was back in middle school..." Mai started to say before Kagome tuned out the conversation.
Instead, her mind turned to the problem of teaching Mai. She would have to talk to the rest of the SPR team as the girl would need support in the future. She needed to learn how to stand on her own. Kagome had seen her file from when Kazuya had hired her and knew that she would need the team now that her psychic abilities were known. They knew some of what the girl could do, but she was still a latent psychic. Who knew what other abilities may awaken.
123
"They're here." Kazuya's voice drew her attention from where she had been working.
Kagome breathed a sigh of relief at the news. She had been recording all of the information Yasu and Mai had gathered into the files for the last two hours. She was actually thankful to Yasu. His written records were concise, detailed, and neatly written. Something she would expect from a top student of this school. On the other hand, Mai's records were rushed, the details all over the place, and her handwriting was difficult to understand in places. The girl could organize files that had already been written by Kazuya, Lin, or herself but she wasn't methodical in her thinking like they were.
"Alright. I'll just finish this while everyone brings in the equipment. I'd like to have it done so Lin can catch up with everything while I meditate." Kagome said as she looked over at Kazuya where he stood beside her.
"That's fine. Mai, Yasu, and Monk have already headed down to help them unload." Kazuya replied; sorting through the papers she had already added to the files.
"Yasu has been really helpful with this case. His written records are also very organized and easy to follow." Kagome told him quietly as she continued typing.
"Yes, they are." Kazuya said with a note of approval in his voice that made Kagome smile lightly as he looked over one of the papers written by the teen she was speaking of.
"He could be an asset..." Kagome hinted her thoughts.
"You think I should bring him into the team?" Kazuya asked with a little surprise that she was talking to him about it.
Kagome usually didn't push an idea like this when it came to work. More often than not she was a silent support as she worked with Lin. She helped out with the cases in her own way but she had taken to helping Lin keep records, watch the monitors, and provide her own input about the case. It was unusual for her to provide input about the team as a whole.
"I do. He may not be a spiritualist, but he is interested. I don't know what he has planned for his future, but we could use someone like him even if he doesn't wish to continue after college." Kagome said as she glanced at him from the corner of her eye before continuing with typing out one of the last three papers.
"You're talking as if I will still be in Japan in the next few years." Kazuya replied only to pause as the typing stopped and the sound of her chair being pushed back.
Dark blue eyes met dark brown as her hand came up to cradle the side of his jaw and ear. The touch was tender, and Kazuya knew it was her way of expressing her affection. Kagome rarely expressed herself fully due to her training, but she did in other ways. Touch was one of them.
Kazuya had been cautious of her touch before because of his psychometry but had grown used to it over the months. Most times she needed to touch him to keep the bond between them strong, but other times it wasn't about that at all. It hadn't taken him long to know it to be a sight of the affection she held for him after seeing her do the same with Lin and her family. He had never received visions from the contact, and so he had let himself grow comfortable with her touch.
Touch was something he had only been really comfortable receiving from Eugene before.
"I will follow you and Lin wherever you decide you want to be, Kazuya. I can help people anywhere I go. I have already spoken with my family, and they understand. You are a part of my family now. You realize that, don't you?" Kagome asked gently as she tried to convey that she cared for him in the only way she could.
"I gained a sister, but lost Gene." Kazuya replied, and she could see the pain in his eyes at the mention of family and his brother.
"You haven't lost him. His spirit is never far from you, we just have to find him. Then you'll never lose him again. So really, you've just gained an annoying older sister." Kagome said seriously before her tone became a bit playful as she tried to lighten the mood.
"All I was trying to say is that Yasu would be an asset to the team if you decided to continue running JSPR in the future. If not, then that is fine too. Alright?" Kagome said as she went to drop her hand from his face only for him to catch her hand and give it a gentle squeeze.
"Thank you." He said gratefully for both her words and her support.
"What is this?" Ayako's voice asked from the doorway as she stared at them.
Kagome looked over to see that Houshou, Mai, and Yasu had also paused from carrying in equipment to watch the two of them. Lin, however, ignored the sight of Kazuya holding Kagome's hand as he carried in some shelving. He knew there was nothing really going on between the two. The others, on the other hand, had not yet figured that much out.
They still thought that Kagome had a crush on Kazuya.
"What is going on? I thought you Kagome was working?" Mai asked as her face flushed red and her eyes narrowed and the sight of Kazuya holding the woman's hand.
"Nothing you need to concern yourself with." Kagome replied as Kazuya ignored them; letting go of her hand to show Lin where he wanted the shelves for the monitors put up.
"Did something happen?" Houshou asked as Kagome brushed off the looks she received and sat back down in her chair.
"Everything is fine, Houshou. We were just talking. You go ahead and continue getting the equipment. I have to finish this file." Kagome replied as she started typing again; ignoring the irritated expressions from Mai and Ayako, the mischievous curiosity fro Yasu, and the concern from her cousin.
Houshou said as he watched Kagome ignore that any of them were in the room. She could seem so cold toward others sometimes, but he knew better. She was family, and he had known her as they grew up. Kagome had always been one of the most loving and caring people he knew. That hadn't changed. His cousin was still there under the surface, but her emotions were harder to notice because of her training.
Even so, Houshou would prefer for her to be the way she was. He had been there when his father had brought her to the temple on Mt. Koya. She had been broken then. He had been there as she got better, but even then she was not healed.
'It wasn't until she met Naru and Lin.' Houshou thought as he set down the shelving he carried and glanced between the three of them.
He had noticed the changes in her over the last months. She didn't hold herself so stiffly, her mouth would sometimes curve into a small smile, her eyes had softened, and she reached out to touch people more often. Kagome was still restraining her emotions, but she did express herself. She was healing.
He didn't know how they had done it, but Houshou found he was grateful to them. It had been so long since he had seen her smile that he had been surprised the first time he had seen it. He had watched as she had become close to them quickly. Houshou had been concerned at first, but that was more because he never wanted to see Kagome so broken ever again. It wasn't until Christmas, when his Aunt Maki had told him about the dinners with Naru and Lin at the shrine, that he had started to relax as he realized the attachment Kagome had formed went both ways.
It was then that Houshou had decided he would stay out of it, whatever it was.
"Come on, Monk!" Mai's voice pulled him out of his thoughts and he turned to see she was waiting on him to got and get the next load.
"I'm coming Mai." He said as he glanced between the three who were staying in the room one more time before following her out.
Kagome let out a breath of relief once the four of them had left. She had been able to feel her cousin watching as she finished up typing the last paper that was thankfully one of Yasu's. She knew that Houshou was just trying to help, but the discussion they had walked in after hadn't about her. Her cousin was just trying to look out for her in his own way, and she knew that. He would always remember what she had been like when she had been taken up the mountain, and she couldn't blame him for trying to watch over her after that. He had worked hard to help her get back to some semblance of herself at that time.
Kagome sighed with a small smile as cool lips grazed her cheek in greeting.
*Are you done?* Lin asked her as he pulled back.
*For now. I can help you with setting up before I meditate.* Kagome replied as she stood from her chair before rising onto her toes to return the kiss on his cheek.
Kazuya shook his head at the display of affection that only he had been a witness too. He wasn't bothered by the display of emotion between the two. In all honesty, he was happy for them both. They were taking things slow from what he could tell, but he was also grateful that they had decided to keep their relationship private from the others on the team for now. Kazuya wasn't looking forward to the headache from when they did find out, in any case.
"We'll have a meeting when the others get back. I'll assume Lin will want to review the files so far. Kagome, do you think you'll be able to do your scan while I send groups out to set up the cameras and microphones?" Kazuya asked as he finished positioning the shelving for the monitors that Lin had helped to set up where he wanted them.
"That shouldn't be a problem. The files are ready for you, Lin. I just finished them. I'll start networking the system together as things are brought in if you want to make sure everything is in place?" She asked Lin as she walked over to the box of cables to start pulling them out and laying them out behind the shelf so Lin would just have to connect the monitors as they came in while she set up the wires under the table.
"That's fine." Lin nodding before pausing and looking at her meaningfully.
*We will be talking about what was bothering you on the phone when we get a moment alone.* He reminded her and Kazuya just looked between the two of them before heading back out to the van to grab another load of equipment; knowing that whatever Lin had said must be something private between them.
*I know. I'm not putting it off for too long. I just want to do my scan of the school first. It's just old history.* Kagome replied as she took his hand to give it a gentle squeeze before pulling out several bundles of cords and walking over to place them on the shelf to be sorted through.
*From when you attended here?* Lin asked, and Kagome's eyes softened.
He could read her so well, and he knew her well enough to know that whatever was on her mind was bothering her.
*You're going to look into the history of the building so you'll find out anyway... Just let me tell you before you do. Tonight, I promise.* Kagome said as Houshou walked back in carrying a monitor, and the discussion was over.
123
"No Hotel?!" Ayako looked affronted as she shouted when Mai told her they would be sleeping in a building on the school grounds after they had finished unloading the van and setting up the workspaces.
"You mean to tell me I rode three hours in the back seat of Lin's car, and now I have to sleep on a cot in a room with a busted heater, for the entire investigation!" She continued shouting and Kagome brought her hand up to her temple to rub away the headache that was starting because of her decibel level.
"Calm down, Ayako." Mai said as she plugged her ears and glanced at Kagome sympathetically before Ayako grabbed her hand and pulled them away from her ears.
"You probably won't understand, but this has been a very long trip. You should try being cooped up in a car with Lin for three hours. A man who seems to pride himself on not uttering a single word to his passengers. It's maddening!" Ayako said dramatically and Kagome shook her head as Lin looked over at her from where he had been speaking with Kazuya.
"Fine! Okay, but we're still better off than the guys are! As soon as John gets here the four guys are going to have to share a room even smaller than ours." Mai told her and Kagome held back a chuckle at the look that the two shared.
"Ugh..." Ayako groan looking almost sick at the thought.
Kagome turned her attention away from them to look over to where Houshou stood with Yasu. The two weren't really talking. They looked more like they were taking a break after unloading and carrying all of the equipment up to the room. It was getting late as darkness had already fallen, and Kagome wondered when his parents would be expecting him home. Or were they even there? Yasu didn't seem to be too worried about it in any case.
"Let's get started." Kazuya said; calling everyone's attention to him while Lin walked away to take his seat in front of his computer at the other side of the room.
Kagome, already knowing what Kazuya wanted her to do, moved over to sit on the floor near Lin and get comfortable.
"Here's where we stand. There are too many eye witness reports and not enough equipment. Kagome will be conducting her scan of the building and its grounds in a few moments, but she has already stated that she has sensed spiritual residue. When Miss Hara arrives I'll see if she supports Kagome's conclusion and if she can provide more information. Once we've confirmed they're here, I'll have John, Takigawa, and Miss Matsuzaki ready for exorcisms. Kagome will be keeping an eye on the readings coming through on the equipment and investigating if she catches anything. Lin and I will investigate anything that seems uncertain or vague, and I'll have Mai relay information and watch over the base. Just be sure to report to me if anything happens." Kazuya told them all; looking at Mai as he finished.
"Yeah, like what?" Mai asked and Lin glanced at Kagome when she sighed lightly at Mai's obliviousness.
"You're the sixth sense girl, aren't you? Wasn't it just a few cases ago you were told you had latent ESP powers?" Houshou asked as he pointed out that Kazuya meant for her to report to him if she 'saw' or sensed anything.
"Oh, that's right. Guess I forgot." Mai smiled sheepishly as she was reminded.
"Wait! You're clairvoyant like they are? I thought you were just normal, like me." Yasu's tone was genuinely surprised as he looked at the other teen.
"Well, I wouldn't say I'm normal..." Mai replied before Ayako stepped closer to her.
"Certainly not! In our last few cases, you've even been of some use, haven't you?" Ayako laughed in an annoyingly false way that clearly said she was mocking the girl.
"I think criticism should only be given by those who've actually solved a case." Mai shot back as Ayako's laugher became more tense.
"You two get along well." Yasu said cheerfully as he tried to break the tension, and Houshou looked a bit exasperated where he was standing almost between them.
"By the way, don't you need to get home Yasu? It's getting late." Mai asked as she noticed how dark it had gotten outside the windows.
"No. Actually, I was just thinking I could run errands for you guys if you wanted me too." Yasu replied bluntly before looking at Kazuya as he spoke; making it clear that he knew Kazuya would have the only say in if he could stay.
"We've got enough people in this room already." Houshou grumbled and Kagome shook her head at his line of thinking.
"Thanks, Yasu. We're grateful for all the help you've given us today, but I think it'd be best if you didn't stay the night. It's dangerous." Kazuya told him as he glanced at Kagome where she was sitting to see her watching them both intently.
"Of course. Hey, if I'm overstepping my boundaries please let me know and I'll leave." Yasu replied respectfully, and Kazuya's gaze was assessing as he looked at the other teen before his eyes softened a bit as he glanced at Kagome once again.
She was still seated on the floor next to Lin as she waited for the room to be quiet so she could go into her trance, but now she had a small smile as she nodded slightly to him. He was reminded of the conversation not long before and knew she had been right. Yasu was showing real interest in their work. It was then that he decided to give him a chance. How he did during this case would determine whether he offered Yasu a job or not.
"On second thought, maybe you could give us a hand tonight." Kazuya said thoughtfully as Houshou's grumbling increased and Kagome's smile widened a bit before falling.
"Houshou, be quiet. Thank you, Yasu, for volunteering your time. I will drive you home later. Do you need to call your family to let them know you'll be late?" She asked kindly as he turned to face her.
"Thank you for the offer. My family are out for the evening." He answered, and Kagome caught the silent message.
"Alright then. Kazuya, I'm ready to start." Kagome said as she turned her attention to relaxing her body.
"Good. Takigawa, Miss Matsuzaki, you two will be setting up equipment in these rooms. Yasu, you and Mai will take these." Kazuya said in a clear dismissal as he slid a paper to each pair.
Yasu looked at Kagome curiously as she settled into her breathing before feeling a small tug on his sleeve. He turned to see Houshou and Ayako had already left and Mai was trying to bring him with her. Glancing once more at Kagome, Yasu turned to leave. Kazuya watched this before looking over at Kagome to see her breathing had evened and knew that she was blocking out her surroundings now.
He turned to look at the board to think about the case. He was drawn out of his thoughts only an hour later as he heard a clatter from where Lin had been working. He looked over to find that the man had stood so quickly that his chair had been knocked back.
"Lin?" Kazuya asked as his eyes quickly followed the direction of his gaze.
The sight that met him had Kazuya moving across the room quickly. Kagome was still seated on the floor, but her body had started twitching. They were small at first, but soon grew stronger as Kagome's expression shifted from her usual calm to show some distress. Lin was at her side, unsure if he should draw her out of her deep trance by touching her. It wasn't until a moment later that her body went from twitching to full convulsions. Her ki surfaced from her skin quickly in a pink glow.
The pink seemed to ebb and flow like liquid over her skin until it brightened in a sudden burst that encased her before as she screamed and the light faded abruptly. Lin threw away his caution as he fell to his knees to bring her into his arms as her body slipped out of her sitting position bonelessly. Their hearts pounded as Lin supported her tenderly and brushed his hand over her forehead and cheek. Running a finger gently over her eyelid, he could tell from the glazed look of her eye that she had still not come out of her trance.
"Kagome..." Kazuya murmured as he kneeled down to join Lin on the floor.
*Come on. Wake up, Kagome. Pull out of it!* Lin spoke quietly as she sharted to stir.
A moment passed as they waited before the woman groaned and dark brown eyes blinked open under their own power.
"L-Lin." Kagome finally said; her voice little more than a whisper.
"Right here." Lin answered with a small exhale in relief only to be distracted as the door slid open with a bang.
"Kagome?!" Houshou shouted as he ran into the room and over to the three of them when he seen his cousin cradled in Lin's arms; Ayako following just behind him.
"Houshou. I'm okay." Kagome tried to reassure her panicking cousin as she took a deep breath and she pushed herself up.
Lin's arms followed her up to provide support in case she found herself too weak to support herself. When she proved to be able to sit up on her own, his arms returned to his sides. Kagome gave him a small smile before turning to look at Houshou as he kneeled in front of her.
"I heard you scream. That doesn't like you're alright to me." He replied with a scolding tone as he looked her over for himself.
"What happened?" Kazuya asked once Houshou sat back after not finding anything visibly wrong with his cousin.
"There are too many spirits here, Kazuya. The school grounds are covered in spiritual residue. My aura was overwhelmed by the spiritual energy. It shouldn't be possible for there to be that many spirits in one place. Something is drawing or pulling them here. I just don't know what." Kagome replied as she pushed herself to her feet, and the three guys stood as she did.
"The students have been ouji boarding. It's possible they really are drawing spirits." Houshou said with a small scowl and Kagome shook her head.
"No, you said it yourself. If every student in this school were spiritualists then I could see it being a possibility, but they're not. These are normal, spiritually untrained kids. Yes, there may be a few with the potential to be spiritualists, but that wouldn't account for that much spiritual residue." Kagome replied as she brushed off her pants from being on the floor.
"We will investigate further once Miss Hara and John get here, in any case. Will you be alright?" Kazuya asked as the tremors had already faded from her.
"I will be fine. I can shield well enough when I am awake, and so I will ward the rooms we are staying in tonight. In case I was noticed by a stronger spirit." Kagome replied, and Lin bowed his head in agreement with her thoughts as it would help protect all of them.
"Miss Matsuzaki, you take over warding the rooms we will be in. Kagome will be driving Yasu home shortly. She can help strengthen them when she returns. Takigawa, you can continue setting up. Kagome, just rest until Mai and Yasu come back." Kazuya said before going back to his spot in front of the whiteboard with a glance at Lin.
"Actually, I think I'll get some fresh air. Could you tell Yasu to meet me at my car?" Kagome asked Kazuya as Ayako glared at her for the extra work she had been told to do.
"Are you sure you're alright to drive?" Houshou asked as Kagome picked up her purse from where she had placed it on the table.
"I'll be fine, Houshou." Kagome replied before turning to look at Lin.
*Can we have our talk tomorrow? It's just been a long day, and I want to sleep after I get back.* She asked as she slung her purse strap over her shoulder.
Lin nodded in understanding before his gaze followed her out of the room to Houshou's protests of her having just brushed him off. It didn't take long for her to arrive outside and make their way through the parking lot over to where her car was parked. Unlocking the car, Kagome let out a breath as she finally felt her body relax when she sat down.
She hadn't wanted to let the team know, but she had been more affected by what she had felt during her trance than she had said. There had to be something drawing the spirits there. Kagome wasn't sure it was the seance's from the students though she did think they might have a part in it. The number of students holding seances was too odd not to.
Kagome sighed as she kept her ki just under her skin to shield from the foreign spiritual energies she could sense.
'Someone is going to get hurt if we can't figure this out quickly...'
123456
Wow. This is officially the longest chapter so far. I really didn't expect to write this much. I'm working on this one as well as a few others so updates will come when I can. I hoped you liked it, and let me know what you thought with a review. Feedback does help motivate me to work on my stories though reviews with the single word of 'update' will be ignored. Those actually irritate me as they come across as more of a demand, and I write for fun. I'm not going to be pressured to update any faster just because someone tells me to. Anyway, I hope you're all staying safe and healthy out there with the current COVID pandemic going on.
~Ryu
