A/N: Thank you once again for reading. I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas with your loved ones! I will try to finish this story soon. I know that I've kept everyone waiting, and I'm hoping the wait will be less for the next chapter. I hope you all like it.
Darkness surrounded the large mansion, which ominously reminded her of the Urado and Kane cases. She walked with shaky legs only to stop when she felt a cold sensation on her shoulder.
She sharply turned, only to find herself face to face with a young man, no older than 17. His unsmiling face had her blanching. Cold seeped out of his hands, yet she didn't pull away. "He's here." Her eyes widened at his unmoving lips, yet his voice echoed loudly and clearly.
"Who?" Mai asked.
He didn't answer, instead he fluidly walked downstairs without bothering to see if she followed.
She did.
"Wait! Who are you?" Mai asked again. The young male didn't answer. Instead, he knelt down and placed his ghostly pale hands on a wall. Mai's eyes narrowed taking in his every movement. A rumbling sound startled her, and she pulled back.
"In here." His voice echoed in her head. She looked at him only to find grey eyes focused on her. Without breaking eye contact, he pointed into an opening in the wall.
"What will I find?" Mai asked hesitantly.
"Answers," he replied. Mai nodded and dropped to her knees. She nervously crawled into the opening. She turned back to him, only to find him gone. She shook her head and returned to look into the darkness.
However, she found herself face to face with the familiar face of the necromancer.
Mai screamed.
The brunette woke up screaming in a cold sweat. Her chest heaved as she tried calming her racing heart. She eyed the window by her bedside and saw the moon illuminating the bedroom, indicating that it was still late. "Was it just a dream?" She asked herself.
Her heart once again raced when she heard a soft knock on her door. She stood and opened the door quietly.
"Naru?" She asked in surprise, finding her boyfriend standing outside her door quietly.
"Are you alright?" He asked softly.
"I had a nightmare," Mai confessed, moving to the side to invite him in. He tensed. "What is it?"
He glared at her as if finding her question idiotic. Knowing him, he probably did. Mai raised a challenging eyebrow, but then she sighed in exasperation, having figured out where his thoughts were going.
Last time they were together in a bedroom, they had made out. Though there really wasn't a chance for that to go in another direction for a numerous amount of reasons, one of them being that Gene was there too.
"Don't you dare say that this is because it isn't proper to come into my bedroom alone." Judging by the slight clench of his jaw, she knew that she hit a bullseye.
"Seriously? Naru, we're just going to talk. I promise your chastity will be intact by the end of this." She rolled her eyes at his unamused scowl.
When he made no room to go in, she pulled him in and sat with him on the bed. Before he could say anything, she told him about her nightmare. His glare eased into a pensive frown.
"Could it have been a vision?" Mai asked him quietly. She rubbed her arm self-consciously. She wished that she could tell the difference between an ordinary nightmare and a vision. Without Gene acting as her spirit guide, it was almost impossible to tell.
"The mansion, how did it look? Anything in particular stood out to you?" He asked.
Mai pursed her lips pensively. Other than the fact that it was creepy, there really wasn't much, except for- "Gargoyles."
She straightened and looked back at him.
"There were gargoyles on the roof," she answered. He once again became pensive. "You know, we should double check your home too, Naru. It seems that mansions have been plaguing us recently." She giggled at his scoff, but then she paused when a noise caught her attention.
She and Naru exchanged glances and took off to Gene's bedroom, which was right beside hers. Naru pushed the door open, without bothering to knock. Mai followed after him, and they found Gene squirming in his bed, screaming in his sleep.
Naru walked up to the water and poured him some, while Mai sat on Gene's bedside. She shook his shoulder and jumped when he suddenly sat up. Much like she had earlier, Gene was breathing heavily. He blinked blearily and focused his eyes on her. "Mai?" He asked her hesitantly.
"It was just a dream," she whispered soothingly. "Naru and I-"
She gasped when Gene embraced her tightly. His breathing was erratic, and he was shaking. She whispered comforting words to help him relax. His raven hair was stuck to his forehead indicating that he had been sweating extensively.
Naru frowned at this, but he remained silent. Though he did tighten his hold on the glass of water.
He knew that she was only comforting his brother, but that still didn't ease the tension that he felt at the pit of his stomach. His jaw tightened as he felt the pangs of jealousy slithering around him like a venomous serpent. This emotion had been foreign to him for most of his life, but now it called to him often.
Especially when seeing Mai with his brother.
The young investigator was very self-assured in his relationship. Mai didn't even spare other men a second glance, which pleased him immensely. He also knew that she would always be faithful and loyal.
However, his brother was the only one that made him feel, dare he say, insecure.
He wasn't ignorant. He knew that he wasn't made out of the best boyfriend material. Gene, on the other hand, was chivalrous, romantic and charming. All the qualities that he lacked.
Gene had also been spending more time with Mai than he had. They would arrive to work together, and they would leave together. This was due to the fact that they couldn't be separated, but it still nagged him every time they chuckled and shared inside jokes.
Naru was also painfully aware that he hadn't taken Mai out on an official date yet since his attention had been completely focused on Mr. Kane and the necromancer. He knew that Mai understood, but he also knew that she was being patient. And he didn't know when that patience would wear out.
"What happened?" Mai asked, pulling him out of his thoughts. She pulled away from Gene's embrace and looked at him seriously.
"I dreamt about the necromancer," Gene admitted. "He had me in this room…it was dark save for the candle at my side. I was tied to something, and there was someone else there. He was…he was a boy, and he was dead."
Mai turned to Naru, wondering what he thought about all this. "Mai, tea," Mai glowered at the order, but nonetheless, she obeyed. Honestly, would it have killed him to ask for it politely?
She gave them a parting glance and went to prepare them all something to calm their frazzled nerves.
Once he was sure that Mai was out of hearing range, Naru turned back to Gene. He gave him the cup of water, which his brother gratefully took. Once he was finished, he set it down in the nightstand beside his bed.
"As alarming as this dream sounds, I want to know the real reason on why you were screaming." His brother asked with a no-nonsense tone, indicating that he hadn't been fooled.
Gene wasn't surprised that his brother had figured out that he was hiding something. He sighed and took the time to try relaxing the tension on his shoulders. "All of it was true, Noll. It's just…I wasn't the only one there. The necromancer, he had Mai. I think he wants to hurt her, and it terrifies me. We never told you this…but on the day of my revival, he asked me to take her to him."
He slouched and looked down tiredly.
"Had I been under his control, I would have obeyed like a mindless dog. Mai would have been under his clutches, and he would do God know what to her. The worst part is…that I don't know if my resolve can weaken enough to create an opening. What if he gets control of my mind, and I end up hurting her?"
Naru's jaw clenched. He had always suspected that the necromancer needed the brunette for something, but he had initially thought that she was only needed for Gene's resurrection. However, it seemed that she was still necessary for whatever the necromancer had planned.
"I love her so much," Gene once again confessed as he covered his face in shame. "And I know I shouldn't because she's with you. But I can't stop."
Naru turned away from his brother, not wanting to hear it again. "Don't-"
"I'm sorry, Noll, but your brother is selfish and cruel. He loves your girlfriend." Gene sighed and removed his hand from his face, only to freeze when he saw Mai's frozen form standing by the doorway. Naru followed his line of sight and found Mai looking at Gene in disbelief and mounting understanding. "Mai, I-"
The brunette took a deep breath and wordlessly set the tray down on Gene's desk. She cleared her throat and opened her mouth, but she snapped it shut, unable to find the right words.
"I'll be outside," Naru abruptly and wordlessly exited the room. Mai looked ready to follow him, but first, she needed to speak with Gene.
"Now you know," Gene spoke up first, unable to stand the silence. "I love you, Mai. I have for a long time, but I want you to know that I won't pursue anything. You're with my brother. I- I'm sorry."
"Don't be," Mai whispered softly and looked up at him with unshed tears. "Don't be sorry. You can't help what you feel." Her eyes instinctively eyed the door that Naru had exited from earlier. "I-"
"I know. You don't have to say more. Your feelings for my brother are clear to me. I wasn't going to say anything." Gene bit his lower lip, shyly.
"No, I'm glad I know," Mai spoke softly, almost like a whisper. "I've been so inconsiderate. How could I have been so stupid as to not take your feelings into consideration? A part of me always knew, Gene." A tear spilled down her cheek having treacherously escaped its confinement.
Emmi had mentioned the possibility of Gene loving her, but she hadn't taken it seriously. She shouldn't have blown it off so carelessly, and now Gene was hurting because of her stupidity.
Gene stood up and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, which had her heart hurting for him. He was the one getting hurt, and he wanted to comfort her. "Don't feel guilty because of me. I have already accepted and come to terms with your love for my brother. Mai, I love you so much, but I also love my brother. I would never deliberately do anything to hurt him."
"Look, I want you to know that I do care for-"
He chuckled softly. "Mai, don't. Believe me, I know. You love me, but you don't love me the same way that you love him. Though, I honestly don't know what you see in him. I'm clearly the better option." he joked lightheartedly. "Now go before my sensitive brother wears a hole in the hallway in his desperation. He has never experienced jealousy in his life, so he most likely doesn't know how to handle it. I'm serious Mai, I'll be fine."
"Gene," she gave him a small smile, "thank you."
He smiled lightly but said nothing else. He watched her go, feeling strangely liberated that she knew about his feelings, despite having confirmed that she didn't love him that way. "Lucky, Noll."
.
Mai was disappointed when Naru wasn't in the hallway. She frowned and went up to his room only to find that he wasn't there either. Her shoulders slouched, and she made it back to her bedroom.
She pushed the door open and found him standing by her window.
She took hesitant steps towards him, stopping beside him and then she looked at him out of the corner of her eye. Her thoughts were jumbled trying to find a good way to start a conversation after that.
Naru, remember that conversation we had when we first kissed. Me or Gene? I picked you, so really, there's no need to be upset. No, too aggressive!
Her heart dropped when he moved from his position beside her. "Naru-"
She gasped when he embraced her from behind. His arms wrapped around her shoulders in a loose hold that she could easily move away from should she have the desire for it.
Her brown orbs softened at the insecurity that she could practically feel radiating from him. She ran her fingers through the strong arms that held her tenderly. She turned slowly, yet swiftly in his embrace, not wanting him to let go.
"I'm sorry," she whispered tenderly.
"For what?" He asked apprehensively. The frown etched in his features had her heart aching. Such hesitancy and insecurity didn't belong there. He didn't need to say it in words for her to know that he was jealous of Gene. Jealous at the possibility that she would find him a better option.
"As much as it pleases me that you care enough for me to be jealous, I need to nip this at the bud. Oliver, my heart is yours, and it will always be yours. Gene is my friend." Mai clarified, hoping that he would open up to her to lay out his insecurities.
"But why? I told you before, I can't give you what you want." He looked away from her and removed his arms swiftly.
"And what do you think I want?" Mai asked rhetorically.
Noticing his clenched jaw, she knew that he wasn't ready to openly say it. And although she felt hurt by this, she knew that he needed to be reassured now before this got between them later.
"I don't want prince charming, Naru. I don't want anything that you're not able to give. I just want you to love me, and I want you to know that I'm terrified as well. Terrified that you'll realize that I'm not worth your time, but I'm willing to take the risk. Because my love for you is stronger than my insecurities." She looked away, hiding her blush from him.
"Mai," he breathed out her name with so much emotion that had chills traveling down her spine. As always, his voice always got her attention, and her eyes met his. "I love you," he uttered those three words with so much emotion and intensity that she lost feeling on her knees.
"What?" She asked dumbly. Her eyes locked on his lips, wondering if she had imagined it.
"I love you," he repeated it, this time with more confidence.
In that moment, her smile could have blinded anyone with its intensity. She had never expected to hear much less see those words formed by his lips, yet she had.
She suddenly giggled, unable to contain her happiness and pulled him down to her level to kiss him. Once. Twice. Thrice. She eventually lost count. "I love you, too." She whispered in between those chaste kisses. "Always you."
He smiled, and she gently pressed her forehead to his. She looked at him lovingly before her eyes took on a wicked glint. He raised a silent brow in question.
"What did I tell you? Your chastity is still intact." She cackled.
"Idiot"
.
Bright blue eyes shifted between two individuals warmly. She loved her children so much and seeing them across from each other was something that she would never get tired of. Despite the fact that they were identical, their expressions contrasted beautifully.
"Mom?" Gene interrupted her musings.
She shook her head to indicate that she was fine. She lifted her tea cup to her lips to hide the smile when she saw Mai approaching the breakfast table. Her eldest child's eyes followed her form longingly.
His feelings for the brunette were evident. Luella lowered her tea cup and turned to Oliver, wondering if he had realized it, only to be shocked at his expression.
His eyes had softened ever so slightly and his usual frown was gone. His lips had slightly tilted upwards, a ghost of a smile. This may have seemed like nothing had it come from any other, but it didn't come from another, this came from her son. This was a big deal. His head tilted in her direction and his shoulders eased.
His attention was completely entrapped by Mai.
It dawned on her that her son liked her. Her Oliver-whom she had thought was incapable of ever being attracted to anyone- was clearly captivated by the gorgeous female.
She gaped at her realization and turned to the brunette only to find her returning his stare. Their eyes had instantly locked tenderly, though it was much more evident with Mai. A light blush dusted her features, and her eyes shined brightly in his direction.
'She returns his affections!' Luella realized gleefully. She could have not pictured a more perfect scenario in her head!
"Mai," Luella jumped at the emotion that she heard in her son's voice when uttering her name. He had breathed her name longingly.
He didn't say more, though it seemed that Mai understood his silent request. She joined his side and sat next to him in the breakfast table.
If Luella had been surprised earlier, she was completely astonished when he grabbed Mai's hand under the tablecloth. Their fingers instinctively interlocked. Her wide eyes met her son's and he lightly inclined his head, confirming her suspicions.
He had intentionally made it obvious that he had grabbed her hand. This was his silent way of telling her that they were together.
3, 2, 1…
"Ah!" She squealed in delight. Everyone in the table jumped at the unexpected sound.
"Luella!" Martin called to her in worry.
Though she ignored it, she had had several wonderful news delivered to her within 24 hours. She was allowed to express her excitement!
"Are you two dating?" She giggled and watched Mai blush profoundly at the bold question.
"Yes," Mai nodded, having found it embarassing to say more.
"That is wonderful news!" She grinned, unable to prevent the snicker that escaped at Martin's clear surprise.
"You have a girlfriend?" Martin asked Oliver in surprise.
"Come now dear, isn't it obvious?" Luella asked, exchanging an amused glance with Yasuhara. "Since when? You two have to tell me everything."
She would have shot more questions, but she had noticed her other son's reaction. He had flinched at her words as if burned, and it came back to her. Eugene liked her too. Oh, her poor baby! He was heartbroken.
"I believe, we have other things to discuss," Lin interjected.
"I agree," Martin nodded.
Luella sobered up and frowned. They were right. The necromancer was their priority at the moment.
Once everyone was filled in about both Mai and Gene's dreams, they were all formulating plans of action. Luella was in awe at the teamwork and trust that they showed each other, especially from her son. Oliver had always been closed off and did everything on his own.
His time in Japan had changed him.
"First things first, we need to find the club that Mr. Kane had joined. Perhaps they can give us clues on the necromancer's identity or whereabouts," Takigawa started.
Ayako bit her lower lip and sighed. "Where are we even going to get started? There must be dozens of those little cults of dark magic practitioners all over England."
"I know of two," Martin started, pulling out two folders that he passed around. He hadn't been able to sleep last night-for obvious reasons-, so he dedicated his time to researching and investigating. "Though, they are quite exclusive and distrustful. Ordinary people would never even get a word in with them let alone into their gatherings. Only those with psychic or latent abilities are allowed in."
Ayako audibly exhaled. "They would never believe that we've got spiritual powers. I'm sure they've heard thousands of people telling them that on a daily. There goes that idea."
"Not quite," Masako straightened in her seat, her dark eyes latched onto hers.
"What do you mean?" Mai asked, hoping Masako knew something they didn't.
Masako covered her smirk with her kimono, though Mai could picture it just the same. "I am not an ordinary person. I am Hara Masako. A publicly known medium. They will talk to me."
Mai would have rolled her eyes at her arrogance had she not been right. It was a perfect idea!
"And he is not an ordinary man either. That is Oliver Davis," Masako inclined her head in Naru's direction.
"She made a valid point," Lin agreed. Naru inclined his head in agreement.
"Then it's settled," Martin said. "Miss Hara you and my sons will visit the two different clubs. Gene you will go with Miss Hara as Dr. Oliver Davis, while Lin and Oliver will go to the other. Mai, you'll have to go with Gene for obvious reasons."
Mai nodded in agreement, despite Naru's clear displeasure. "No"
"Naru-"
"No, you will stay here with my mother." The brunette's eyes narrowed in warning. She knew he was worried about her, but if Masako could go, then so could she. She wasn't completely useless! She could be helpful. Recognizing the stubborn glint in her eyes had him glaring at her in warning.
"I think she should go," Luella interjected.
"She's not a child, Noll."
"I'll go with them," Ayako volunteered. After the last time, she was not separating from Mai and Masako. "Gene will go with us, too. There shouldn't be a reason for anyone to worry."
She threw a warning glance at Takigawa, who was already getting ready to argue.
"Lin and Naru can go together. The rest of you can stay here to investigate the grave robber. Yasu, you and John are smart, so your brains will be needed here. And as much as I hate to admit it, your insight will also be needed, Takigawa" Ayako nodded, pleased with herself.
Takigawa sputtered. "But-"
Sensing Naru and Takigawa's displeasure, Yasuhara interfered.
"I think it's a brilliant idea. They can take care of themselves. We should trust that they can do it." Yasu didn't flinch at the death glares that he received for his words. He gave Masako a thumbs up.
The pale medium used her kimono to cover her mouth, so nobody was able to see the small shy smile that she gave him.
"Noll, we'll be fine. We're going to a fairly inhabited location," Gene said as he read through the folder. "I would be more concerned about you and Lin." The older twin handed the file to his brother, who took it and rapidly scanned its contents.
"Madoka will accompany you both, she should be arriving in a few minutes. Her expertise will be required as well." Martin informed Lin, who nodded in agreement.
Naru frowned, "Very well."
Mai would have cheered, but she decided not to press her luck.
They were going to find something soon. She just knew it!
.
Martin Davis's interest had been piqued. He rarely came across a group of such talented individuals. His son had chosen well. And he didn't just mean on their spiritual/ psychic abilities.
Yasuhara in particular had caught his attention. The young man was brilliant and resourceful. He acted goofy and silly, yet he had one of the most gifted minds that he had ever come across.
The other individual that also drew his attention was the young exorcist, John Brown. Like Yasuhara, he was brilliant and sharp, though he hid it behind his polite and quiet countenance.
"Take a look at this Dr. Davis," Yasu spoke up as he twirled his pen rapidly. John's wide eyes kept glancing at the case files that Madoka had faxed last night.
Martin took the folder and raised an eyebrow at the circled red words. "Their ages?" He asked, already knowing that the grave robber typically undug the bodies of men between the ages of 15-21.
"Naturally, you've noticed that they're all young males, but we also found this," Yasu said as he motioned John to get closer. The blond priest obliged and showed the articles that they had printed. "Their bodies were uncovered and a few days later, police found the bodies of these individuals. Look-"
Martin took the file from the priest and frowned pensively. "I'm afraid I don't follow," Martin confessed. "The bodies are not of young men. I don't-"
"That article is of Conor Higgins." John said, as if the name meant something to them. "He was an exorcist."
"Then there's this one," Takigawa suddenly spoke up, startling the older male. "Ito Dahui, he was a monk. It was said that he had some spiritual energy."
"Up next we have Amir Ocnan, he was a rumored shaman. Notice a pattern, Dr. Davis?" Yasu asked as he adjusted his glasses, mostly out of habit. "They all had some form of spiritual or psychic ability."
"So then the young man that was…taken for Gene was-"
"Kintaro? Most likely. According to Mai, he would communicate with the voices in his head. I would be willing to bet that he had a latent ability to communicate with the dead." Yasu looked down shamefully. At the time, they had all thought that he was schizophrenic. How foolish of them.
"Now that we have it confirmed that the necromancer is the grave robber, now what? This opens up a thousand other questions. We wouldn't know where to start." Takigawa gripped his head in frustration.
"We do," John interjected thoughtfully. His blue eyes widened as he turned to them seriously. "The question that we've asked ourselves since day one. Why were those unsuccessful? And why was Gene different?"
Martin stood up from his seat and paced the room thoughtfully. He then stopped and turned to them with the obvious answer. "Taniyama Mai. She and Gene were connected in the spiritual world. He was within her radar and wavelength. Something that is improbable all in itself. For this reason, spiritual guides are difficult to come across."
"Yes," Yasu nodded as he ran to the desk and pulled out his journal already writing and connecting their theories.
"Gene was also the perfect medium," Takigawa supplied. "He could astral project as could Mai."
"Their souls were connected and could find each other in the astral plane," John nodded, puzzling everything. "So Mai was used to summon Gene. He manipulated her abilities through the ritual to summon him, as she would in the astral plane. This way Gene was anchored to the world of the living. His soul was returned to his body, and Mai is subconsciously keeping him anchored to his body."
"This explains, why she gets tired. She's always using her abilities," Yasu surmised, impressed that Mai was lasting this much.
"And it explains why her powers have grown," John frowned, recalling the details from Kane's case. "The more she uses them, the more they grow."
"This is also why Gene can go farther away from Mai for longer periods of time. It's not that he's getting better or adapting. It's her! Her powers are growing, thus her reach and connection with Gene has expanded," Takigawa gasped at the realization.
Had their discoveries not been so monumental, Martin would have taken the time to admire their quick thinking and intelligence. However, he was still trying to make sense of everything.
"But what could that man possibly want?" Martin asked nobody in particular.
Yasu ran a hand through his hair. "And how long can Mai last? She needs to eventually rest. If what we think is true, then her powers have been "on" for months! There's only so much that she can take."
"So what does this mean for Gene-san?" John asked, feeling the worry for Gene seep in.
"I don't know." Yasu admitted, though he did have a theory. One that he would rather not share. "We should just focus on finding the necromancer for now."