Chapter 2: Dreams of University

Summary: A dream frightened Mai bad enough to make her call the old SPR office to ask for assistance. In so doing the fears the SPR crew suffered were whisked away, only to have new and more terrible worries take their place!

Author's Notes: I'd like to thank Shunakoo25, dianaloveanime, for their reviews and input. I'd also like to thank pennYnnep, and archangelBBQ for their reviews and encouragement! Reviews really do inspire! I hope everyone likes this new chapter!

Also all dialogue is to be considered in Japanese, unless otherwise stated. Thank you!

The Dream...

She found herself standing in a curved hallway. There were doors at regularly spaced intervals, each one numbered. Each door had a plaque on the wall next to it listing the student's names that occupied that room. Mai started walking down the corridor, until her intuition made her stop. It was room 406, the plaque read Marcus Donovan and Trey Reeds. (Author's Note: Which gentleman do you think would make a good foil for Oliver Davis?)

Wait, Mai thought. Weren't they the two students that disappear over the last two weeks? I didn't know they were roommates! I wonder why they both went missing?

Mai glanced at the room plaque across the hall and realized it was blank. That is when she heard his voice again. "Mai... You need to be careful. This Spirit is angry and hungry!" Gene's voice was quiet yet insistent. He continued as Mai turned towards him. "You need to make Miss Aria contact SPR! Noll and the others need to come! She should tell Noll that a hungry spirit is causing trouble. Maybe also have her mention you have already dreamed about the Dorm even before she took the case! Miss Aria can't keep you safe."

Mai's brow furrowed, "I don't understand, did Naru return to Japan and reopen the office?" She asked uncertainly.

Gene nodded. "You won't be safe without the others. In fact Lin might be the only one..." Gene fell silent for but a moment as he switched gears. He pointed to the plaque across the hall, Mai looked just in time to see a name appear on the plaque. Dominique Vienna, a moment after that another name appeared... Mai Taniyama...

Mai gasped. "But I'm not going to be attending full time or living in the dorms! Why did my name appear?" She asked in confusion, with a dash of real fear coloring her voice.

"Every name in this dorm is someone who was taken. You and Miss Aria should not investigate alone. Call Naru, ask for his help! Also you need to wake up!" Gene said giving Mai a small push back into her body. He watched her disappear from the astral plain. He worried, Noll you better hurry! Or the girl you love may be joining me in death... If that thing doesn't devour her spirit first!

Case File 1: The Blood Soaked Dorm - Part 1

Hawaii...

Mai woke in her new bed, in her new room, in Hawaii. She shivered, covered in a cold sweat, her hair damp, and Gene's words echoing in her mind. I guess I know where we will be investigating first, she thought. A shiver of fear coursed down her spine. A hungry spirit, huh? I guess I should wake up Aria. Now would be a good time to call SPR. She thought tiredly.

Mai threw her covers back and got up sliding her feet into the slippers waiting by her night stand. She walked over to her closet, pulling out her new robe she slipped it on. She tied the sash before crossing to her bedroom door which she had left open. Passing through the opening, she crossed her sitting room, intent on reaching Aria.

In moments she was outside Aria's door, she knocked loudly knowing she had to wake her friend and share her disquieting precognitive vision. Sometimes I really hate the dreams I get! And Gene, you're almost as bad as Naru! Why'd you have to show me that? Mai sighed dejectedly as Aria called for her to enter.

Mai opened the door just enough to let her slip into the room. She shut it quietly behind her. She simply said, "I had a dream."

Japan, the SPR office...

As the possible client bowed to the gathered group, the newly reactivated phone rang shrilly, making Naru grit his teeth. Lin stood and walked over to the phone answering it with a curt, "Shibuya Psychic Research, Lin speaking. How can we help?"

His face registered surprise as he heard the voice on the other end, "Hello Lin-san, it's Mai. I really need your help, both you and Naru and the Irregulars, please." The please was barely a whisper and he could swear she was on the verge of tears.

"Just a moment Taniyama-san." He covered the mouthpiece with his hand and spoke to the perspective client, "I'm sorry sir, SPR is not quite ready to take on new cases. We are still setting things up. Someone set the open sign too soon. I apologize."

The man sighed deeply before muttering, "I understand." He pulled out a business card and asked, "Do you think you can call me when you are open for business?"

Ayako got up and took the card with a smile. "We would be honored too." She glanced at the card before continuing, "Toshibana-san."

He simply nodded before turning and exiting the office with slumped shoulders.

Naru looked at Lin sharply, "What was that all about, Lin?"

Instead of answering he uncovered the mouthpiece, "I'm going to put you on speaker phone, Taniyama-san." And he pushed the appropriate button.

Mai's quiet voice came over the speaker phone, "Thank you Lin-san. Is it just you and Naru or is the entire gang there?" She asked quietly. Hoping everyone was there.

Suddenly Monk let out a whoop of excitement, "We're all here Jou-chan!"

There is a relieved sigh on the other end of the phone, "Oh good! I have you all on speaker phone too. Let me introduce the friend I'm working with."

Before Mai can say more a new voice comes on the line, "Hello everyone!"

"Hey! Let ME introduce you!" Mai let's out a single He-he! "Well my impatient friend is Aria Kalani, though... Naru, you might know her better as Marie McLoughlin."

In shock Naru stands, his black notebook and pen falling to the floor. "Mai! How do you know Marie McLoughlin?!" The shock is apparent to Aria and Mai. But those in the same room as Naru are the ones shocked when they see the open surprise written all over his face.

Mai hums. "It's a long story and one that can wait until you get here."

Naru interupted before she could say more, "Where exactly is here Mai?" Now his impatience and worry crack his little remaining calm.

"Oh, yeah. I guess that would be good for you to know. I'm in Hawaii. On the Island of O'ahu to be exact. Aria invited me to come here after graduation, to assist in her paranormal research. I agreed, frankly I did not expect you to return to Japan, and as I'd lost contact with everyone else, I figured a change of pace would be a good thing. Hawaii is beautiful." She takes a deep breath before continuing.

"Aria was going to let me choose the next case, she really only gave me quick synopsis of each case and said once I was settled I could look the files over and chose one. But tonight I had a precognitive dream/vision, whatever. In it my spirit guide showed me a dorm, all the doors were numbered but not all the plaques had names... The last door with names had the names of the two most recent missing students. While my spirit guide and I talked two new names appeared across the hall." She paused taking a shuddering breath. "My name was one of them. My guide said all the names in that dorm were victims of a hungry spirit. My guide said to call you Naru, to ask for help. Will you and the others please come to Hawaii and help us with this investigation?" Mai fell silent, waiting on virtual pins and needles.

"Don't worry Mai, we will come and put an end to this hungry spirit. You have my word. Though it may take us a few days to tie up loose ends here." Naru reassured her. I haven't dealt with a hungry spirit in a while, I need to do a bit of research. He thought as he listened to what Miss McLoughlin said next.

Aria spoke up, "Good, I'll have seven tickets to Hawaii ready and waiting for you at the ticket counter, open-ended so you can get on whichever flight will be most advantageous for you."

Naru nodded, "Thank you Miss McLoughlin. I look forward to working with you."

"I feel the same Dr. Davis!" With that the connection was broken.

"I suggest each of you tie up loose ends and pack quickly. Knowing Mai, the later we are, the more likely she is to find trouble!" He couldn't help but think, And this time trouble could mean her frightening and painful death! I refuse to let that happen!

A sense of urgency grips the group as they all part ways to take care of jobs and any other things that need to be set to rights before they are gone for an undisclosed amount of time!

Back in Hawaii...

"Now off to bed with you young lady! Don't forget we have a meeting with the University admissions office tomorrow at 10 A. M." Aria admonishes Mai.

"I know! I know! I'm going." Mai huffed at her friend, a huge grin on her face. "I feel much better knowing everyone is coming to help with this case. I have to warn you though, Naru WILL try to take over the case!"

"Don't worry, I'm sure he will! Now off with you!" Aria laughed at the look on Mai's face.

Mai grumbled good naturedly all the way to her room. Truly happy for the first time since Gene's body had been found! Though I'll never tell the Narcissist he made me happy! Mai giggled happily as she climbed back into bed, and soon falling into a deep dreamless sleep.

Author's Notes: Edited: 4-20-2017 to clean up some wording and add additional details.