Chapter 8: The Fight to Save the Missing! - Part 1

Chapter Summary: The news was not good. Two bodies seen by Lin's Shiki, with no way to identify them. Time was slipping away. Tempers were high and no one knew exactly what was going to happen next…

Author's Notes: I'm sorry this chapter has taken me so long to get out. I have been dealing with a lot that has impacted my creativity and ability to write. I am trying to get back into the swing of things by writing a minimum of 200 words a day, that is what finally helped me get this chapter out. I am truly sorry for the delay.

Case File 1: The Blood Soaked Dorm - Part 7

Somewhere in the blood soaked cells beneath Hale Aloha Lehu Dorm…

Kekipi seemed to pace and his most faithful servant attended him. The Dean's smile would have unnerved most people, but the ancient spirit, Kekipi, loved it. He who blindly serves, is by far the most deserving of my attention. His unborn son will make a truly magnificent vessel. Though my mate is proving to be quite uncooperative!

The Kialani Estate...

The next morning everyone came down to break their fast, yet most could not eat for the mutual fear they all felt for their young friend. Today was the fourth or fifth day since Mai disappeared in the Hale Aloha Lehu Dorm. She could have possibly been without food and water for all those days as well. Seeing the lack of appetite Sebastian quickly packed up the food, placing it all into a large cooler he planned on bringing with them. If we are lucky we will find Miss Mai alive, and she is sure to be hungry and thirsty. He thought as he added a thermos of hot tea and a jug of cold water to the cooler. After all Miss Aria didn't pay him to be forgetful.

Naru and his team finished gathering what they would need and went down to the waiting van. The two police officers and the retired marine Aria had spoken of yesterday were scheduled to meet them at the Hale Aloha Lehu Dorm in an hour's time.

The previous night...

Rin flew from the lower cells under the Hale Aloha Lehu Dorm at a speed that might have been considered subsonic. His desire to get back to his Master slightly stronger than his fear for what his news would mean for his Master's friend.

Lin was changing into his sleepwear when he felt Rin return, his Shiki was very distressed and before he could even ask what was wrong Rin projected an image into his mind. It was the inside of a cell that looked blackish brown with old blood covering almost every inch of the floor, walls and ceiling. In the center of the cell lay two bodies that had been blackened and looked shriveled, like every drop of moisture and fat had been sucked out of them. It was impossible to tell who they had been, however it was easy enough to tell one was male and the other female.

Oh no! He thought. Could the female be Taniyama-san? If so… this will destroy Noll! Not to mention break Aria's heart. How much more loss can either of them take? I pray that the female body is not Mai's. Lin quickly dressed in his street clothes and went to see Noll, on his way there he pasted Aria's butler and asked him to get the others and have them come to Naru's quarters.

Soon after, Lin relayed the image Rin had given him, and he watched helplessly as the news penetrated the minds of his friends and co-workers. He loathed being the bearer of bad news.

Yet Aria shook her head. "We don't know if that is Mai's body. I refuse to believe Mai is dead. It has to be Dominique Vienna, the other missing girl!" Aria was so adamant that no one was willing to argue with her.

He remembered thinking, We will find out soon enough. Tomorrow morning will be here before we know it!

The Present, beneath the Hale Aloha Lehu Dorm...

Mai could not stop her shivering, the cells had been at a cool temperature for as long as they had been in them and now the temperature had taken another nose dive, she was fairly certain that meant they would be having another visit from their not so friendly ghost. Earlier Marcus had given her his jean jacket, but even that was not enough to keep her warm as the air cooled more and more.

"Nau nō wau. He mea liʻiliʻi loa." The ghost said as he materialized in front of Mai. Even though his eyes remained of Marcus Donovan.

(A/N: Translation from Hawaiian: "You will be mine. Pretty little thing." Hawaiian just looks so pretty compared to english. LOL. BTW if any of that is wrong please let me know as I am using Google Translate for my Hawaiian.)

Mai just stared at the Spirit that had singled her out for something 'special' in his great plan to become a Hawaiian god. Next to her, Marcus began to fidget.

He whispered, "What does he want?" his eyes finally leaving the spirit so he could glance at Mai.

Mai, whose eyes had remained on Kekipi, shook her head. "No clue." she whispered back. "I don't speak Hawaiian." her quietly spoken words just reached Marcus' ears.

Even though she could not understand Hawaiian, Kekipi could understand Japanese. His eyes snapped to Mai and he began reaching for her. Unsure what he was trying to do Mai backed away, crying out, "Don't touch me!"

As her back hit the cell wall behind her, Kekipi watched in frustration as Mai lost consciousness and slumped to the floor. Kekipi screamed his frustration and blinked out of existence, as far as Marcus could tell.

Marcus quickly checked on Mai, fearing that the monsters screams meant something terrible had happened to her. However her pulse was strong and steady, her breathing was normal. In fact it appeared that she was just in a very deep sleep. He took off his button down shirt and spread it on the floor. Then he laid Mai down on it and used his Jean Jacket as a blanket for her. He muttered, "I hope help gets here soon, for Mai's sake."

Meanwhile outside the Hale Aloha Lehu Dorm...

Aria was talking with her detective friends (Devan Roe and Josh Reigner) and the former Marine turned tour guide (Stephan McLaire), while the rest of the gang unloaded cameras and the other diagnostic equipment they brought with them. Lin paused his work as Rin appeared to him, projecting his thoughts into his Master's mind.

*I am sorry Master. I could not find your friend or the other missing student.* Rin paused as if considering his next words carefully. *It felt almost as if something powerful was blocking me from seeing what I was looking for.* His admission sounded pitiable. It was as if Rin expected to be reprimanded for his inability to find Mai and Marcus.

Lin sighed and spoke to Rin calmly. "You need not apologize, Rin. We know that the Spirit behind Mai's disappearance is very powerful. If two have already died then the Spirit is that much more powerful."

Aria, Naru and her friends came over to Lin as he finished speaking. Naru frowned as he spoke. "I take it your Shiki didn't find Mai?"

Lin could only nod. "Rin said it was as if something was blocking him from finding Mai. If Kekipi is as powerful as has been intimated to us and two of the four missing students are dead, it is only reasonable to conclude Kekipi is that much more powerful now."

Aria found herself nodding in agreement. "Kekipi is formidable. Lin-san, I suggest you and Father Brown settle on what each of you will be concentrating on when you face him." she concentrated, frowning before she continued. "All I can sense is frustration and anger from what I am assuming is Kekipi." pausing she adds. "I sense the Dean below, possibly with Kekipi and he seems overjoyed despite the fact that Kekipi is angry."

Naru frowned as he turned to Ayako, "Will any of these trees suffice to help you cleanse the Empty Spirits that infest this place?"

Ayako extended her senses, noting two or three ancient trees whose spirits were strong and pure. She nodded. "Yes. I will get ready and start my ritual while the rest of you get ready to head into the hidden area of the Dorm." She paused. Looking at Naru. "Find Mai and bring her back!" With that the miko turned away picking up her bag of supplies she went off to find a place to change into her ritual garb.

Naru turned his attention to Yasuhara. "Yasu, stick with Matsuzaki-san and assist her however she may need. The rest of us will deal with the set up."

Yasu nodded following the Miko and eyeing some of the 'students' that seemed to be hanging around watching what was happening. He wondered, Are any of these students helping the Dean and Kekipi? If they are we need to be even more careful! Some days I wish I had even a fraction of Mai's psychic abilities. Even if I'm at the top when it comes to research. Somehow that just does not feel like enough on this case!

The Dream…

Mai opened her eyes to see the astral plain, with it's many fox fires. Somehow she knew that each of those fox fires was in actuality one of the many youths that had been sacrificed by Kekipi. As she looked around she saw a being that she knew was a spirit of some kind but was NOT a human who had died and remained in the world.

Looking at this being she could feel its power. "Who or what are you?" she asked quietly.

The being smiled and gave a short bow. "I am Kuka'ilimoku. I am the God Kekipi once served as High Priest."

Mai frowned. "Why are you here?" Mai's eyes widen as a thought occurs too her. "Did you draw me here?" Mai's confusion obvious on her face.

Kuka'ilimoku had a serious look on his face. "Yes. This place belongs to me. Kekipi cannot reach you here. Your physical body should be safe enough for the time being." he paused in thought. "Kekipi misinterpreted what I told him."

Mai thought for a moment. "He wants to become a God, correct?" she asked thoughtfully.

The powerful being nodded. "I warned him against taking his current route. It leads to somewhere very unpleasant. He will not like the outcome."

"What will he become if he succeeds?" she asked, curious to learn the truth.

Kuka'ilimoku sighed. "He will become ka diabolō, or in common vernacular he will become a demon. For all intents and purposes he should be considered that now. He means to possess the unborn son of the man you know as the Dean. Kekipi has lost his way and I do not wish him to succeed." his eyes harden. "I hope your friends, are up to the challenge of defeating him. I will offer what aide I can. I will not allow him to bring forth chaos simply because he does not approve of Christianity."

Mai nods slowly. "I did not think a 'god' would care for other religions being practiced in your territory so to speak."

Laughter bubble forth for the Hawaiian God of War. "There are many 'Gods' here in Hawai'i. To become upset with another 'God' showing up makes no sense to me. Might as well rage at the ocean."

The mental image Mai received made her laugh. "Yes I suppose one or more supernatural beings is not too unexpected." Mai paused. "So what did Kekipi do in life that made you warn him? I know you said he misunderstood what you were telling him…" Mai watched the ancient spirit or Kami trying to determine what she would or could do to help Naru and the others.

Kuka'ilimoku hummed in thought. "Perhaps it will be better if I show you, young empath."

Mai froze. "E-empath?" She had read about empaths of course in one or two of the books Aria had published, however she never considered that she might be an empath.

He smiled down at Mai, offering her his hand. "Come, as long as you remain with me.. You have nothing to fear." Nodding slowly Mai takes Kuka'ilimoku's offered hand. The fox fires swirl around them speeding up so fast they blur together. When the fox fires stop Mai and the Kami beside her are looking down on an outdoor altar that is apart of a vast temple area.

Kuka'ilimoku's deep voice fills Mai's ears. "Today this place is called The Ancient Heiau or Temple of Ulupo. However when Kekipi lived it was my Heiau/temple and many people were sacrificed to me, to bring victory against the enemies of my worshipers." A sigh escaped this ancient beings lips before he continued. "Watch and see."

With those words echoing in her mind, Mai turned her attention to the scene below her. A large stone altar stood in the open area of the temple, at each corner stood a tall tiki torch already ablaze. A man dressed in ceremonial attire stood on one side of the altar. On the other side stood two young couples. Each in the flush of youth, having barely reached adulthood. Mai hazard to guess they were between 16 and 19 years of age. The priest was making grandiose gestures as his words slowly filtered to Mai. Though she knew in her head they were probably speaking Hawaiian she heard Japanese.

"Do you all wish to give your lives to Kuka'ilimoku, and unite your spirits for all eternity?" asked the High priest who was performing this sacrifice. The two young men looked at their female companions and smiled turning back to Kekipi. With strong voices all four answered. "Yes, High Priest!" The couples were dressed in simple robes.

Kekipi smiled, "Then turn to face your partners." He watched with bloodthirsty eyes, before speaking his next command. "Remove your robes all four of you. Warriors place your brides upon the altar." Now a knowing smirk was added to the high priests bloodthirsty eyes. He continued, "Ladies, place your hands over your heads and spread your legs to show your submission to your Warrior husbands." As the females complied, Kekipi ordered the young men. "Take your brides!"

Mai felt sick as she watched the things that happened next, as the first couple neared completion Kekipi stepped onto a narrow raised platform with spear in hand. He drew the spear high then thrust it down into the chests of the first pair, piercing the heart of his female sacrifice, her death instantaneous… while the male above her lingered for a few minutes before bleeding out. The second couple shared the fate of the first.

Kekipi said the words to offer up their spirits to Kuka'ilimoku though through the Kami's power Mai was able to hear the High Priests internal thoughts…

Laughter filled Kekipi's mind as a smirk curled his lips… How I love convincing young fools to give their lives to Kuka'ilimoku! Surely his power will increase! And we will be able to drive those 'Christians' from our shores! Only our people should live in these sacred lands!

After a moment the scene seemed to shimmer and change before Mai's eyes. She then found herself looking down at the shriveled man she knew all too well as Kekipi. He was muttering in low tones a prayer to his god and she knew he was begging power for himself. She then heard the voice she had come to recognize as Kuka'ilimoku. "You tread a path that will lead to a place no mortal can stand. Be careful to not step off my righteous path!"

Kekipi seemed to jolt up before bowing low and whispering, "Of course my Master! I follow where you lead!"

Slowly Mai's mind returned to the astral plane, and the place within it that belonged to Kuka'ilimoku. She fixed her gaze upon the powerful spirit before her as she thought her next move through. Eventually she asked quietly, "Could you help me contact a friend of mine?"

Kuka'ilimoku tilted his head to the side, "The young man with the exaggerated sense of superiority?" He asked and Mai laughed shaking her head she replied.

"No, not Naru." her smile spread from ear to ear. "I was more thinking of my friend Aria. She has similar gifts to my own and it might make the communication easier."

The Hawaiian god smiled. "That can be arranged." he said as his eyes followed an invisible line that flowed from Mai to another. "You know…" he muttered, "It might be easier with the one you call Naru…"

Mai turned back to the Hawaiian God of War a look of shock on her face. "N-naru? Why?" her mind felt blank at this out of the blue revelation. How could it be possible? Naru primarily has PK ST abilities… then again he also has psyclomatry, which allows him to read events off of items. I really wish I understood better how all the different psychic abilities worked in relation to each other!

The deity smiled indulgently. "You and he share a special bond that is almost universal to everyone who bears your gift."

Mai's brow furrowed as she asked, "My gift?" her mind working overtime as she thought about the gift Kuka'ilimoku had highlighted earlier. Oh no! That can't be! He doesn't love me… he rejected me when I confessed my feelings! Mai shook her head stating, "There is no way that could be true! Naru doesn't have room for anyone else in his life! He's too enamored with his own good looks for something like that!" Mai's voice was shrill as she refuted what the deity told her.

The God of War frowned as he looked at her, "Would you deny a bond given to you by the Gods themselves? A life bond is not offered to just any set of mortals." Mai could hear the angry frustration that laced Kuka'ilimoku's words and she trembled inside.

"No!" she shouted, taking a few deep breaths she added. "I would never deny such a gift. But I already confessed my feelings for Naru to him and HE shot me down, telling me I was mistaken and that I had fallen in love with his dead brother."

The deity huffed out a laugh, "More it is he who has yet to acknowledge that which he actually feels. We will make contact with Aria then and see if we cannot make him realize the truth." A smirk crossed the deities face, "To that end, I may have a plan…"

Outside the Hale Aloha Lehu Dorm…

Everyone continued to unload, preparing the equipment and themselves for the attempt to save the students they hoped were somewhere in the Hale Aloha Lehu dorm. Monk had taken the time to change into his traditional Monk's garb, the distinctive robes had Detective Josh Reigner rolling his eyes.

He asked… "Is it really necessary to dress up like that to conduct an exorcism?"

Bou-san turned to the Detective and replied, "No more necessary than it is for you to carry a badge and gun to do your job." A smirk curved Bousan's lips as he continued, "I don't have to wear the robes, but they help keep me in the right mind set. Just like a policeman's uniform, gun and badge help keep their minds on serving the people of their communities all around the world."

Josh flushed at Bou-san's first statement but he kept his cool as he listened to Monks further explanation. "I guess I should think certain things through before speaking. Though it just seemed like a lot of effort for something that I figured should be fairly easy."

His superior, Detective Devan Roe growled out, "Stop being short sighted Reigner! You should know by now when Aria is involved things are never what they seem!"

Monk's smirk spread into a grin as he glanced at Detective Roe, "Nothing is ever easy or straightforward when you are dealing with the Paranormal." Monk looked past Josh and said "If you think my outfit is bad… wait until you see Ayako's outfit!"

Ayako heard Monk's statement as she walked toward the group with Yasu in tow. She growled and hit Monk over the head with her purse as she shouted, "WHAT DID YOU SAY? Stupid Monk!"

The two detectives blinked at her outburst, glancing around to see if this was 'normal' behavior between the two. Roe noted Naru's eyeroll just before he said, "Are you two finished? We have a lot of work to do and very little time to do it!'

Detective Roe sighed. This has to be par for the course if that one is taking it in stride and yelling at them like they are wayward teens. He thought humorlessly. Taking a deep breath he held it before exhaling and turning to Aria. "Okay what is the plan here Aria?"

Taking a deep breath of her own she replied, "Our Miko is going to perform a Shinto purification ceremony and try to cleanse all the spirits of the young men and women that went missing and ended up dying in the secret cells below the Hale Aloha Lehu dorm. While she does that you and Josh will remain out here just in case there are any living people trying to assist the primary spirit behind these disappearances. Stephan and I along with the rest of the SPR crew will head into the dorm and down into the hidden cells below the dorm." Aria paused looking at her friend. "We have it confirmed that at least two of the missing students are dead. We are now fighting to save the last two and prevent something far worse from happening."

Devan let out a heavy sigh. "That is not good. Do you think we will have people trying to stop you from cleansing the Dorm?"

Naru joined the conversation then, "I have no doubt that we will run into interference from people who want to see this 'hungry spirit' reach its goal. I'm not 100% sure what the final goal is but I have a feeling it might be something that would be very bad for a lot of people living on this island."

Naru turned to watch Lin conferring with Father Brown, his eyes narrowing. "Whatever has been happening here is dangerous and it's been happening for a few hundred years, if I don't miss my guess and I'm rarely wrong about these things."

Devan shakes his head, "Narcissistic much?" he mutters to no one in particular.

Aria on hearing his muttering laughs and asks, "Why do you think is nickname is Naru? Naru is short for Naru the Narcissist."

Devan and Josh join in her laughter as they study Naru, his face is a blank mask that hides a deeply worried young man.

Naru's thoughts go to his former assistant, Please Mai… You have to be alright! Hang in there we are coming! Naru lets his eyes roam over his team and he noticed Masako standing in front of the door leading into the dorm. Her face a mask of concentration.

As she stood there quietly looking at the dorm she thought, I need to get psyched up enough to actually step foot into the Hale Aloha Lehu dorm for a walkthrough, but of all the investigators here I am the one most sensitive to all the deaths that had occurred here, and the smell of blood is as bad or worse than when we worked the Urado case. I can smell the scent of blood carried on the breeze wafting from the building itself like some terrible miasma.

Naru joined Masako in front of the build remaining quiet for a few minutes as the rest of the team fell in behind them. He could hear Ayako already starting her chants and Monk preparing for his part in their efforts outside the dorm. His voice seemed to shock Masako out of her daze. "Do you think you can go in Miss Hara?"

She blinked rapidly then turned to study Naru as she brought a sleeve up to cover her mouth, "The smell of blood is worse the when we were on the Urado case. I really don't know how Mai could bring herself to walk into that dorm in the first place."

Naru nodded. "Why don't you sit this one out and assist out here should there be a need. I hope Matsuzaki-san can reduce the number of empty spirits we will have to deal with. If she can reduce their numbers that should weaken Kekipi and make Lin and Father Brown's jobs easier in the long run." Masako could only nod in agreement.

Looking around Naru nodded at his team as he thought, It's time to save Mai! I know she is not the female who died. She can't be… if it was her I think I would have felt it. Hang in there Mai, we will save you!

Below the Hale Aloha Lehu Dorm…

It felt like it had been hours since Mai fell unconscious and Marcus was worried. Mai is too cold… her lips are turning blue! How? How do I keep her warm? And what caused her to fall unconscious in the first place? I don't think it was that THING. What did Mai call it again? An apparition? Whatever it is, it's scary!

At that moment Marcus heard the click of the lock on their cell's door and the creak of the hinges as it opened. A very pregnant lady walked into the cell, apparently on auto pilot. Her eyes were vacant and glassy. Following her into the cell was someone Marcus was very familiar with… Dean Kaimi, a frisson of fear shot down Marcus' spine.

Marcus gasped out, "What are you doing here, Dean Kaimi?" His shock evident to the older Hawaiian.

Kaimi's malicious grin spread across his angular face, his voice came out shrill with his particular form of madness. "Why? I'm preparing the way for a new God! Soon Hawaiian's will have a true God to lead their fight against the vial Christians!" Then the Dean laughed long and hard at the terrified face of Marcus Donovan.

Marcus pulled Mai's unconscious form into his arms as he scooted away from the crazed Dean. He's behind all of this? He knows about the abductions and even encourages them? I hope help is on the way! I'm not religious but I really hope someone higher up is looking out for us! His eyes leave the Dean for a moment as he glances down at Mai, who lays unresponsive in his arms.

The Dean closed and barred the cell door, purposely ignoring Marcus. He made his wife settle on the cold stone floor of the cell and carefully set up the candles in the dictated order. Everything had to be in place so that Kekipi could poses his unborn son. It is, in many ways poetic justice that Marcus Donovan is the surviving male. His blood is sure to seal Kekipi into his vessel easily. And Kekipi is correct the girl, Mai Taniyama will be the perfect general for his Legion of Blood. His eyes wander to the last two sacrifices and he frowned. I wonder why she is unconscious? I know it is not Kekipi's doing. The Dean's mind reached out to his God with his most fervent question. ::Why is the girl the way she is right now my God?::

The temperature in the cell dropped as Kekipi took form in front of his most loyal servant. ::Someone interferes with my plans. Someone powerful enough to whisk her spirit away from this place.:: Kekipi's anger is very apparent to Kaimi.

Seeing the evil spirit, Marcus shuddered and cradled Mai close to his chest. He knew he carried about her, but he also wanted to survive this and to see if there might just be something there for him somewhere in the future. I hope they get here soon… I don't think Mai can take much more. Her lips are blue! Marcus never took his eyes off the spirit that seemed to be communicating with Dean Kaimi, and when that spirit looked at him and smiled evilly his uncertainty mounted.

Room 406 and the secret passage…

Naru and the others stood in room 406, just looking the space over. Father Brown had a frown on his face, looking older than his 21 years in that moment. He could feel just a bit of what Masako felt from outside the Dorm. He was more than ready to battle the Kahuna' anaana… the hungry spirit that had taken far too many lives over the last few centuries. He was actually glad to be working with Lin-san. He watched as Naru walked over to the wall and hit the hidden button that opened the passageway to the hidden cells.

Lin stood quietly watching and waiting for the go ahead to enter the passage way. There really was no telling what would happen as they moved forward. If Ayako's efforts did not work to cleanse the empty spirits then they would be in for a tougher fight that anticipated, his Shiki zipped around him in agitation. His eyes took in his companions, when he notices that Aria's eyes were glassy her pupils dialated to mere pin pricks. He moved quickly knowing that she would fall, yet not knowing how he knew. Sure enough her eyes rolled back in her head and she collapsed into his waiting arms. He spoke sharply, "Naru!"

Turning to see what was happening, Naru frowned. "What happened?"

"I'm not sure. I noticed her eyes first, then she swayed as her eyes rolled back into her head. I wonder if she is 'seeing' something that could help us with the case." Lin stated as he picked her up bridal style and carried her to one of the dorm beds. He laid her down and covered her with the comforter from the other bed. Now they could only wait for her to wake. "Perhaps we will see if Ayako has some success with cleansing the empty spirits while we wait for Aria to wake."

"Seems a reasonable idea. Perhaps we can set up a camera at the bottom of the passage way. I want some idea what is happening down below." Naru said as he looked into the dark passage way.

Stephan volunteered. "I'll take the camera down and set it up, I'll use one of Aria's cameras as I know how to set them up properly. I don't like the idea of splitting the group up too much. I have assisted on a number of cases with her before."

Naru nodded his agreement, but felt he had to ask. "Does she often have episodes like this?" he said as he gestured to her unconscious form.

Stephan shook his head. "Not that often actually. I think this is the first I've seen it happen this early into the investigation. Usually if it will happen it's like around day 13 or 14 if no leads have popped up. So yeah this is unusual."

Naru sighed and said. "Then we settle in to wait." He paused looking at the ex-marine turned tour guide. "Be careful down there. I don't want anyone else disappearing." Stephan nodded his agreement.

Lin offered. "I will send one of my Shiki with him. That should keep him marginally safe."

"Good. I don't want Miss McLoughlin to have any reason to be angry. After all I don't think she would appreciate us letting something happen to one of her friends."

Author's Note: Okay again I apologize for how long it took me to post this chapter, but as a bonus for my readers, it is one of my longest to date. I didn't realize just how many threads I had to weave into this chapter to actually finish the case up. There will be an epilogue that will also introduce the next case! Thank you again for all the Favorites, Follows and Reviews! They mean a lot to me! So yeah this got even longer than I originally thought it would be. Next time Part 2 of 'The Fight to Save the Missing!' See you next chapter!