Disclaimer: I don't own Ghost hunt, the Anime nor the Manga
Chapter 5: Case 1
Base was sullen and quiet after Naru spoke. Even Lin stopped typing, his face clearly thoughtful about the events that just unfolded. Mai felt her insides turn. She had taken on serious risks for this, but it only seemed to make things worse. Just then Suzaku and Father Kato entered base, Suzaku with bags under his eyes unmistakably from lack of sleep.
'How could he sleep with his sister is still missing?' Mai thought to herself sadly.
"Any news?" Father Kato asked hopefully.
"No, I'm afraid not Father. Mai has uncovered that Suki is at the highest point in the forest, but apparently, the location with the large stone slabs we search thoroughly yesterday is the highest point in the forest. This topographical map confirms it." John voiced bringing them up to speed. Suzaku seemed even more heartbroken at the news if that was even possible.
"W-what is she buried somewhere?" Suzaku's voice cracked, but Monk came over and placed a supportive arm on his shoulder.
"Mai hasn't received any information that she's passed away so don't give up hope. Masako, have you seen her wandering outside?" Monk probed the kimono clad medium. Masako was silent for a moment closing her eyes and shook her head.
"I haven't seen or sensed the spirit of your sister around you or on my walk this morning. Do not lose faith." Masako reaffirmed. Suzaku nodded sucking in a deep breath. Silence permeated the room again, a few of the others walked toward the map and studied it for more clues.
"The stiffest tree is always the one to break. While the bamboo survives by bending in the wind." Father Kato voiced wisely.
"Wait... what?" Mai said her face slackened in surprise.
"He means we're thinking too hard Mai, because the tree symbolizes u-" Monk started to explain.
"No! Monk I know what the metaphor means. Naru, I know where Suki is! She's in the highest point in the forest. She's in that field, but she's in a tree! The highest points are the trees!" Mai uncovered prompting everyone in base into action.
"Monk, Fujioka, and John go back to the field and search every tree in the location. Matsuzaki, make sure you bring medical supplies, and Monk grab the proper climbing materials. Yasu , I need you to find out everything you can about this 'Shadow', search all the records." Naru ordered, no one needing to be told twice.
After the others left base Naru turned his attention to the brunette psychic. He said nothing at first but nodded his approval.
"Well done." Mai was taken aback as she felt her face grow warm.
"Don't thank me yet. At least, not until Suki is safe with her brother." Mai responded turning away in embarrassment.
Masako, who was still in base, looked over the exchange in quiet suspicion.
Only an hour later Suki was found much to a tearful Father Kato's delight. She was tight in her brother's arms and he refused to let her out of his sight. Ayako was treating the girl for exhaustion and for minor scrapes and wounds. Suki seemed to be fine and chipper as ever to be with her brother, but still was taken to the hospital for a more in-depth checkup.
Everyone was back in base once again, the case wasn't solved, but they were in high spirits. While the team ate bentos for lunch Ayako detailed the story of the daring rescue, how Monk scaled the tree and saw the girl reach out to him. Of course, the branch started to give and Suki clinging for dear life. She even tried to climb down to Monk when the branch broke, but Monk was able to catch her in time, she even gave him a kiss on the cheek.
The word 'kiss' made Mai's gleeful expression slip right off of her face. Her eyes darted to Naru as regret pooled inside her mind. She wondered what he would think of her now after what she may have done to his brother. His eyes turned back to her and widened a fraction as if he was reading her face like pages.
She darted her eyes back down in shame.
Naru knew what she had done to get the information from the calculated spirit. When they arrived back after their failed search, he remembered how no one could wake Mai. It didn't take much for him to deduce where she was and what she may be doing. He never believed in the ends justifying the means and it was obvious Mai was behaving…strangely, even for her. Neither of them realized that Masako had also seen the entire exchange.
She chose to address it.
"So then Mai, you acquiesced to kiss that Shadow man from you dreams. Was that how you were able to find Suki's location?" Masako spoke her voice no louder than a usual, but it cut through the base like a church bell. Mai could feel eyes on her as she felt her face go pale.
"I did what I had to. I always have." Mai responded cryptically meeting the eyes of the medium. Masako covered her face with her sleeve.
"I see. Pardon my intrusive line of questioning, but it seems very odd. This man who we believe has committed absolutely heinous crimes gave you all the information to foil his plot. This man who we suspect has murdered women and children without remorse willingly traded vital information about himself. He knows we want to exorcise him and maybe even what we are all capable off, yet he shared these things with you still. And all you had to do was kiss him. It makes me wonder if that was all you gave him." Masako tilted her head both in wonder and in accusation.
No one dared to speak.
"What exactly are you insinuating Masako?" Mai responded coolly. She couldn't fight the burn of shame on her cheeks, but she wouldn't be reprimanded by her rival without defending herself.
"If you feel ashamed that is your business. This is not about your personal activities or motivations. This is about how suspicious this change of attitude is from this predatory entity. So I ask again Mai, for your safety, did you give him anything else? " Masako stood now, no longer hiding her face.
Mai could feel her throat starting to close from the wave of anxiety and shame. Not just the shame of the violating harassment, but of what she may have done to Gene. Her spirit guide. The gentle smile who kept her safe and brought her closer to the first man she ever loved. She felt like she couldn't breathe.
What had she done.
Mai tried desperately to breathe but her throat only tightened like it was filling with a thick wad of gum thinning out her esophagus from the inside. Mai hadn't had a panic attack for years. She nearly forgot it was something she was even capable of. It was like being outside of her body watching as Ayako squeezed her hands telling her to breathe in through her nose and out through her mouth.
"Everyone get out. Lin and Ayako stay here." Naru's voice cut through the room. Mai was faintly aware of the room emptying out as she tried not to faint from the lack of oxygen getting to her brain.
"Mai, come back to me and focus. Listen to my voice. You can do it. Yes, good. Keep breathing like that." Ayako coached her and she could feel the panic coming back down. When she started to maintain her breathing without prompting, Ayako grabbed her purse. She pulled out a napkin and a water bottle. She wet the napkin and handed Mai the rest as she tried to drink in small sips as she was directed. Ayako wiped her face and kissed her forehead. She sat next to Mai and pulled her in with one arm.
"I've done something terrible." Mai finally spoke and she could feel Ayako's grip tighten. Mai looked over to her boss and told them all everything. About how she was strangely dress to his liking, how heavy he felt on top of her, the cold air the passed into her mouth, and worst of all her choice to betray Gene. When she was done her face was wet with shame all over again.
Lin surprised them all by speaking first.
"You are correct, you have done something terrible." Lin stood towering over the two women.
"If either of you berate her, so help me, I will steal the van and take her away with me this instant." Ayako fired ready to say whatever it took to defend what Mai had put herself through.
"Please do not misunderstand me. The things that you have been subjected to during this case have been nothing short of horrendous. No man, spirit, or beast should lay their hands on you and not expect the full vengeance of everyone of us. I am truly sorry about all of this Mai. However, your error is still in what you may have sacrificed." Lin reported grimly and continued.
"There are curses that specifically address beings that walk the astral realm. Your blood, the exchange of flesh, and your spiritual link, in this case Gene. This entity now has all the means to trap you in the astral plane. If your spirit lingers there longer than you can withstand it will be severed from your body. This is potentially a death curse." Lin relayed gravely.
This chapter is pretty short, but I'll update again very soon since this is only for dramatic affect. Thanks for reading! BTW I love reviews!