DISCLAIMER: I don't own anything to do with Ghost Hunt.

New story, yush! It's multichapter fic, which I'm pumped about. Also my first attempt at something like this. The SPR team are coming to Ireland whoohoo! So please have a gawk, tell me what you think (btw the first chapter is slow but I gotta set the scene somehow) Hopefully, I'll be updated regularly for this aswell as my one-shot collection. Anyway...Enjoy :)

Chapter 1

"Settle down," snapped Naru as he slapped a yellow file open on his folded lap. The chatting irregulars of the SPR office immediately grew silent, giving the young but stern man their full attention. Naru cleared his throat and began speaking again in the clear and professional tone they were so used to.

"I've received a case from the main headquarters in England, requesting our assistance," he said, eyeing each member carefully.

'Naru', as Mai had dubbed him on their first case working as his assistant, was in fact just a nickname for the young man known the world over as the famous Professor Oliver Davis. He'd come to Japan under the guise of Kazuya Shibuya, a small time business owner, specialising in all things occult and supernatural, to secretly search for the body of his missing twin brother Eugene Davis.

He was often overlooked and underestimated because of his age but he would quickly change their opinions with his cool and mature attitude coupled with his wealth of experience and knowledge. And right now his expertise was once again being called upon.

"Madoka contacted me three days ago, underlining the urgency in which we must act. The case itself, is a request for our team to investigate a suspected haunting in Ireland so–"

"Ireland?" interrupted a befuddled Monk who'd decided he must've heard wrong. The Buddhist exorcist, often mistaken for a hippie due to his long hair and pierced ears, was often called upon to perform cleansings and rituals on their cases.

"That's so cool!" proclaimed Mai with a clap of her hands.

Masako and Ayako also seemed to be in agreement. They both emitted sounds of approval at hearing the case's latest destination.

"Yes," the young boss bit out at the interjection, "If you could allow me to continue," his voice dripped with condescension.

"There's a residence in Ireland that needs immediate attention and, unfortunately, two other BSPR teams have failed to reconcile the case. Madoka has requested tha-,"

A snort interrupted him again. The stoic man turned a steely glare on his brunette assistant trying very hard to hide a smirk.

"What – might I ask – is so funny, Mai?" Naru challenged, daring his assistant to undermine him again.

She mumbled, cheeks reddening, and averted her gaze to the floor.

"Gibberish is not a language I choose to study Mai, you may speak up," he chastised with a raised eyebrow, his eyes burning into her shrinking form.

Mai, wisely opted to remain silent. Naru watched her for a moment longer before lowering his eyes back down to his folder, crossing his arms with against his rising ire.

"She said Madoka doesn't ask, she likes to bribe instead," smirked Ayako as Mai's head shot up, a look of betrayal plastered across her pale face.

"You snitch," she hissed at the Shinto priestess in return. Naru ignored her for the most part, deciding they had drifted off topic for long enough. He reached forward and smacked the coffee table with an open palm, gaining their attention for a second time.

Again, the group grew silent. Naru was sure someone gulped.

"As I was saying," his professional tone returning, "the BSPR are funding a round trip to Ireland for members deemed necessary to the investigation. A short stop-over in London for a night will also be included."

"Ah London, home of the great Sherlock Holmes," said Monk wistfully, making Naru's eye twitch at the interruption once again.

"Sherlock Holmes is a fictional character, you idiot," baited Ayako with a roll of her eyes.

Mai giggled quietly before adding, "Naru's a bit like Sherlock, isn't he?"

"Yeah, only he hunts ghosts instead of criminals," laughed Monk.

Mai beamed, "Heh, wow, we could totally write a book about him!"

"When you two are finished being ridiculous…," said Naru with a sigh. Trust his so-called 'colleagues' to run off topic at every given chance. They had the attention spans of a toddler. He raised his eyes back up to the group. Mai was smiling sheepishly at him whilst Monk shrugged and changed the subject.

"So who're you gonna take with ya?" he asked, hiding his apprehension.

Naru looked at the four present members seated around the coffee table of the large office, his lips thinned in hidden distaste. He was far from stupid. By the looks of anticipation in their eyes, he knew that everyone was hoping for a place on the case. Unfortunately, he couldn't take everyone. As the president of the Japanese branch – a sister company to the famous research facility in London, it was his job to manage expenses as well as everything else that came with the territory. He would not expose himself to criticism from his peers – especially his father.

"It's been decided that only five people will be needed for this case. Fr. Brown is unable to attend, having duties to perform here but I have chosen the people I believe best suited. You'll also be paid handsomely for your time. As it stands, I will not order anyone to co-operate. It's unsure how long this case will take." he said coolly.

His heart skipped inexplicably as the group's expressions fell. He may not be the 'robot' everyone mistook him for, however, the labelling of some of the emotions he experienced still eluded the stoic young man. He carried on regardless, burying the feeling deep into the recesses of his mind – he had no time for such things as sentiment.

"Lin, myself and Mai will of course be travelling," he said, disregarding Mai's yelp of outrage at being included without being asked, "and I've decided we will need Mr. Takigawa and Ms. Hara as well."

"What?" scoffed Ayako. The red-head was disgusted at being overlooked, "And what's wrong with my skills?" she challenged, a deadly glint in her eye.

"Ms. Matsuzaki, your skills won't be required," shrugged Naru with indifference.

"Then, why the hell am I here?" she spat.

"You came of your own accord. I didn't ask you attend this meeting."

"This is an outrage!" she screeched with flaring nostrils. The priestess then stood, hands fisted at her sides as she bared her sharp canines. Her rage was almost palpable and Mai shrunk back in intimidation. Ayako was scary when she was mad.

"Listen here Shibuya, or whatever your bloody name is," she screamed, her high-pitched voice causing the other to wince, "I'll have you know that my skills are highly sought after!"

Monk coughed into a fist to hide his snort, compelling Mai to sharply dig her elbow into his ribs. It was then, that Masako decided to enter the fray.

"Yes, your skills do seem to be in demand, even from yourself," she said lightly, her sneering lips hidden behind the silk sleeve of her kimono. Like waving a red rag to a bull, the miko turned.

"Excuse me?" she hissed, her eyes glinting with promised pain.

Naru sighed again, louder this time. This argument was pointless. He had made his decision and that was final.

"Ms. Matsuzaki, please refrain from killing other members of my team. My decision has been made. Should you continue with this inane bickering, you can leave," the level tone had the incensed priestess snapping her jaw shut.

"Fine," she huffed, plopping back down onto the sofa with a glare directed at the sly medium. Whispering caught the young man's ear and he looked over at his assistant and the monk as they muttered quietly to each other. The brunette's eyes were sparkling with mischief.

"Mai, Takigawa, do you both possess a passport?" asked Naru, directing his questions at the grinning pair. They were up to something. The smirks were a warning not unlike that of Madoka's. His mischievous mentor held the same disgustingly sweet smile when she was planning something utterly tedious for him to do.

Mai nodded in reply, as did Monk. Naru was surprised the young woman even possessed a passport. As far as he could tell, she wasn't one to travel on foreign holidays. Maybe it was a requirement for her college entry? He rolled his eyes internally at the thought. College was not something he could see his assistant completing with any real enthusiasm.

His eyes darted over to her again. She was now busy trying to console a scowling Ayako. A feeling he likened to guilt tinged the back of his mind making him frown in contemplation. The ebony-haired twenty-year old knew he was being unfair. Mai was smart in her own right, her intuition and skills were nothing to be sniffed at. He suddenly felt admonished at his harsh dismissal. The girl wasn't unintelligent just merely hasty in her decisions. If he were completely honest, it was a trait that usually drove him to distraction over the past four years.

"So when's this little skip around the world happenin'?" asked Monk, shaking Naru from his internal musings.

"Lin will be booking flights for the weekend. Pack enough luggage for at least a two week stay," he informed them then turned to Masako, "Have you arranged for your schedule to be cleared?"

The demure woman in her usual kimono nodded with a hidden blush at having the handsome man's intense gaze directed straight at her – much, to a suddenly glaring Mai's fury.

"Hey," cried Mai, arms flailing, "You told Masako before me?"

"Watch it, will ya?" shouted Monk, ducking away from the flying limbs.

Masako tittered with narrowed eyes, "Why, of course, Mai. I have work commitments," she scoffed with an overly soft voice. Her prim disposition had an uncanny ability to rub the small assistant up the wrong way.

"I work too, ya know!" shot Mai, eye twitching.

"I hardly call answering the phone 'work'," jeered the medium, gearing up for a full-fledged battle with her long-time nemesis.

"Oh and I suppose fainting all over the place is called being productive as well, Hm?"

"Will you two give it a rest," chastised Ayako, "You're giving me a migraine."

"She started it," protested Mai, pointing a trembling finger at the smirking psychic.

"What are you? Twelve?"

"Well, we certainly couldn't make the same mistake with you now, could we?" interjected Monk.

"What's that supposed to mean?" spluttered the affronted priestess.

"Monk, don't set her off!"

"Relax Mai, she's too old to hear me anyway," chuckled Monk.

There was a loud thunk followed by a pained cry when the priestess chucked her empty teacup at the Buddhist's face.

"You asked for that," giggled Mai as her friend clutched his bruised cheek.

"I'm dealing with children," derided Masako with a clucking tongue.

"ENOUGH!" Naru bellowed, suddenly interrupting the innocuous squabbling. A vein throbbed wildly in his temple whilst casting a glare so cold the group instantly froze.

"Everyone except Mai" – said assistant gulped – "leave. I've said all I've had to say."

There were several silent seconds before the monk, the miko and the medium each stood and tip-toed quickly from the office, muttering their farewells. Mai sat rigid in her seat, terrified to set off another of Naru's famous tirades. His temper was fragile at the moment and Mai still had several hours of office time left before she could leave for the day. The last thing the assistant wanted was to be cooped up with a boss whose anger had her walking on eggshells. Just like Ayako, he was scary when he was mad.

Naru watched as the petite brunette sat pillar-straight in front of him. He couldn't help but sigh at the look of disguised dread on her face. He wasn't angry per say, merely frustrated. If he had a choice, he'd gladly keep the team together. They were competent – despite the bickering and, more importantly, he trusted them. The fact that he had to split them up on the orders of headquarters left a nasty taste in his mouth but, as the saying goes, needs must.

"Tea?" asked Mai, testing the waters. She was biting her lip in trepidation.

Naru relaxed his posture slightly. He didn't mean to put his assistant on edge. It was unprofessional to say the least.

"Earl grey," he said quietly before standing up and retreating to his office. Just before he reached his door a tentative voice reached his ears.

"Thanks for bringing me along, Naru."

Naru turned to the fidgeting assistant. A small smirk flitted past his lips, he noted the same expression flicker on Mai's.

"Where would I be without my Watson?" he replied cryptically before turning towards the door to enter his private sanctuary, leaving a very confused girl in his wake.

TBC...

A/N: Please read and review, go raibh míle maith agat!