Chapter 1: Settling In

Summary: Mai settled into Aria's seaside home, while Naru and Lin settled back into life in Japan. Everyone finally realises Mai is gone with no forwarding address. They also discover her cell phone has been disconnected…

The Cabin Cruiser…

Mai found herself giggling, it felt so good to stretch and the view of the Islands was fantastic! Aria's boat pilot slash bodyguard guided the vessel to O'ahu.

Mai found herself asking, "So what is going to be our first case Aria?"

"Well we have three potential cases sitting on my desk back home. Perhaps I'll let you choose." Aria grinned at her young friend and heart-sister.

"What can you tell me about them?" Mai asked curiously as she sat down next to Aria.

"Well… let's see. We could investigate the Haunting at the Iolani Palace, it seems that the once quiet haunting have changed. According to eyewitness accounts the spirits have recently become violent. There are reports of visitors being grabbed and pushed by invisible attackers. Though no one has been seriously hurt yet, and according to legend there are several psychic hot spots within the Palace itself and in the surrounding grounds!"

Aria paused as she gathered her thoughts. "We also have the opportunity to investigate the University of Hawaii, as there are many local legends and reports of paranormal activity in several of the buildings there. One particular room in one of the dorms is supposed to be very, very active. Recently, however, a few students have gone missing over the last few months."

Mai studied Aria, trying to decide if either of those peeked her interest. "What is the third case?" Mai finally asked, not wanting to commit to one without hearing them all.

"Well the final one is the one I'm really curious about. The state has asked for help in investigating the Heiau at Ulupo. It is one of the oldest temples built by the ancient Hawaiian's. It is supposed to be an agricultural Heiau, yet there are rumors and legends that at one time humans were sacrificed there to the war god, Kuka'ilimoku. Something has disturbed the peace of this Heiau and visitors are now seeming to see spirits there. Often visitors are run off by the things they see and there has been an increase in injuries and even a couple of confirmed deaths."

"Oh wow! Um… that one sounds like it maybe very dangerous." Mai almost whispered.

"Yeah I know." Aria answered with a huge grin. "That's what makes it so exciting!" Her green eyes twinkled with her excitement. "After we get you settled into your new room and signed up for at least one class, I'll let you look over the files on my desk."

As Aria finished speaking the boat pulled up to her private dock, just outside her home on O'ahu. The friends disembarked, taking Mai's luggage with them.

As they walked down the dock toward the back of the three story mansion Aria continued, "I'll have to introduce you to my friend Matt, he's a professional diver and he takes the time to assist me on my investigations. You'd be surprised how often a diver comes in handy during investigations here in the Islands!" Aria comments with laughter in her voice.

Mai could not stop grinning as they made their way into the mansion, Aria lead her to a small suite of rooms on the third floor. Throwing open the double doors Aria grinned and said, "And here is your suite! You have a sitting room/study, bedroom and private bath. Go on check it out and unpack. Dinner will be served promptly at 7:00 P.M. I'll send Sebastian to show you to the dining room when it's ready!"

Mai suddenly hugged Aria, tears in her eyes. She muttered, "Thank you for taking me in and letting me continue doing what I love Aria."

"Oh, dear heart. You're very welcome! Check out your desk. You should find your new cellphone in the top right hand drawer! Unpack, clean up and rest. Sebastian will wake you when it's time to eat."

Mai giggled, "You really have a butler named Sebastian, like in Black Butler?"

Aria shushed Mai before laughing, "Yes, but his last name is Himura! So many people like that anime they seem to expect him to sound like the English dubbed version of the anime… he almost looks like him, at least in height and build. Only he has blonde hair and blue eyes!"

"Isn't that contradictory for someone of Japanese descent?" Mai asked a bit confused.

Aria nodded, "It would be, except he was adopted into the Himura clan when he was one and a half."

Mai suddenly understood. "He's an orphan too."

Author's Notes: I would be interested to hear which of the above cases you would like Mai to choose as her first case in Hawaii. Please leave me a message or check the poll on my profile page!

Japan, the Old SPR Office…

Shibuya Kazuya, better known as Oliver Davis strode into his old office with a frown plastered on his face as he glared at his assistant and former bodyguard, Lin Koujo. "What do you mean, you can't find her?" His voice was as chilly as an Arctic morning.

Lin sighed, "I mean just that. The cellphone number we had for her has-been disconnected and when I went to her former address… she was no longer there. In fact her landlady informed me she had left that apartment building three months after we closed SPR. Mai left no forwarding address." Lin sounded tired to Noll.

The implications hit Naru hard. Could something have happened to Mai? An icey fear gripped his heart. Could I already be too late? A realization hit him… I should never have rejected Mai like I did! What if she had spoken the truth? That she loved me and now she was gone… Oliver Davis closed his eyes tight before speaking in a strangled voice, "Lin, contact the old gang and see if they can spare the time to come to the office. I think it's time I spoke to everyone."

Lin could hear the quiet desperation in Noll's voice, which cut him almost as deeply as his failure to find Mai on his initial search for her. "Of course. I will contact Miss Hara, Miss Matsuzaki, Mr. Takigawa, Father Brown, and Yasuhara. Maybe they might have an idea about where Miss Taniyama is." Lin wasted no time in heading to his office where he picked up his phone and started dialing.

The next morning the old team was back together. Needless to say when Naru made it known that they had been unable to locate Mai, everyone paled. No doubt remembering how one by one they had lost touch with the perky teenager. Each wore a guilty expression, as no one knew exactly where she could possibly have gone.

Before they could make a plan to search for her the bell over the door sounded. SPR had a new client.