Chapter 17

Ayako was at the museum when we arrived, and she look pretty tired.

'I'm happy I thought to bring her some breakfast and coffee.' Mai thought to herself as they exited the vehicle. The priestess offered the young girl a weak smile and a pat on the shoulder. The three men were quick to accompany the girls on the steps. There was a small pause, a moment of hesitation, just as they all reached the door. The wind picked up and Mai tucked a wild hair behind her ear.

Time seemed to stand still, spanning on for hours, for what honestly was a merely handful of seconds. Mai looked left and then to her right taking in the expressions of all her companions, and gaging their emotions before they entered the complex. Something felt different about today that Mai had only felt a few times before on prior cases.

Today it felt like they we're all going to war with real lives in the balance. Yesterday they arrived not knowing what to expect, but today they we're well equipped and well informed.

"Alright, let's go." Naturally Naru had been the one to bring them all out of their stupor by entering the building.

'Please.' Mai begged silently to herself as she built up her courage and entered.

Base was straight to business watching last night's footage, and finishing up charms left over from the previous evening. There were a couple of cameras that needed new disks, but Naru had yet to send anyone after them because of yesterday's track record. Lin was typing furiously and Monk watching the footage. They we're all rushing around, and Mai felt a bit too idle for her own liking.

'Once again, I'm left doing nothing, and I didn't dream anything at all last night. All I've offer to this investigation so far was one argument that happened and some bad feelings that even Yasu would be able to sense.' Mai silently apologized to her friend for the dig on her way over to her throne in the corner of the room.

She sat and contemplated why she wouldn't have dreamt of any hints before the case or had anymore visions as of yet. Last case she could barely close her eyes without meeting the spirit. Spirits were usually very willing to speak to her because not too many people were able to see them.

When person like herself came around who was able to hear them out, they'd usually spill their guts.

Unless they has something to hide.

'My dreams were about two people who are still alive, and one of which I'm positive has no psychic powers. The other… wait a minute! The entity here must not be human at all. That would explain why I haven't been receiving anything, but aura from it! But then, how did it get here? Any why so suddenly and so violently. Did that man who was arguing with Tachibana curse this place after he was fired.' As if on cue Naru addressed Lin.

"Lin, did you print the document I asked you for?" Noll questioned. Lin merely opened his brief case, and pulled out a thin set of papers, and handed them over. Their boss read through them quickly, and finished with them in 2 minutes flat.

"Everyone." He projected loud enough so that even Monk was drawn away from his headphones.

"I've solved the case." Mai nearly fell out of her chair. That was almost as quick as the Silent Christmas file. This definitely had to be a new record for him.

'Well, I was beginning to figure it out myself, which meant Naru was leaps and bounds ahead of me. 'Mai reasoned.

"Lin, let Mr. Tachibana know that I have some information for him and that his presence is required." The stoic nodded and left the base. Mai couldn't help, but worry after the omniyoji because everyone who'd left the base alone had had a run in with this particularly violent entity.

"Mai." His sharp tone called her like a puppy to a dog whistle, and she rose turned her attention to him dutifully.

"Did you have any dreams?" The question she'd been dreading the entire morning. She could feel his eyes on her, but she found her shoes infinitely more interesting.

"I, um… no, I didn't." Mai said waiting for the back lash of rude comments.

"Good." Alright now Mai was extremely confused, even Ayako exchanged a look with the Monk that communicated confusion.

"Why is that good?" Mai no longer caring if she was scolded for not understanding. Placing down his black notebook and taking his seat again he addressed her.

"Normally if you are still receiving dreams that would mean that there was still more that was being communicated to you about the location or more of the spirits on a case. That fact that you haven't had another spiritual interaction other than the attack would usually insinuates you have all the clues you need. You only need the intelligence to put them together. Luckily for you, you have me to do the second part otherwise we'd be here forever." Naru teased and Mai rolled her eyes and crossed her arms.

"I was close okay. I've figured a few things out by myself you know!" Mai countered and the young scholar raised a challenging eyebrow.

"Do tell. I'd love to hear your theories." Naru voiced genuinely curious about his pupil.

"I know that whatever is here isn't human, and it never was for that matter. Miro may have put it here, but I don't think he did.

Though the date that he was fired is pretty close to when the activity began to escalate. Which doesn't look good for him, but I'm sure there's more to it." Mai voiced challenging her boss's curiosity.

At first Noll said nothing absorbing what she'd discovered and probably creating an endless list of flaws with her proposal.

"Well done. That isn't bad. Of course, it isn't as thorough and evidence based as my own conclusion, but you were well on your way." He praised making Mai blush and feel a bit pleased with herself. She didn't have to long to bask in her accomplishments before Lin was back with the client in tow. The man's deep-set frown and crossed arms spoke volumes on about the mood he arrived in.

"Well , what do you have to say or yourself? I now have to explain all the destroyed property from yesterday's escapades to my higher ups and investors you know! This had better be good or so help me I will have you and your delinquents dismissed from the grounds immediately." He spoke hotly, which would normally upset Mai, but given his vulnerable state at their prior meeting she knew he was probably under a lot of stress.

He loved this place more than any of them could fathom.

But that was no excuse to be rude.

Noll unfazed by the man's threats motioned him to take a seat. This seemed to knock the wind out of his sails, but his expression still read frustration.

"Do you recall a man that used to be a member of your staff named Sato Miro?" Naru questioned. His expression melted from anger to pensive to realization and fear. Once the final light bulb went off in his head, he rose his head quickly seemingly full of fire all over again.

"That bastard! I can't believe he would sabotage my life's work like this!" Mr. Tachibana roared surprising Mai enough for her to take a step backward from the man. Naru took notice of his nervous assistant, and decided to place a bit more control on the matter.

"Are you going to react this way every time I speak, or will I be able to communicate my findings sometime before the sun sets?" Naru voiced sharply. Their client ran a shaky hand through his own black tresses and released a breathy sigh.

"Pardon my intrusion, please continue."

Naru let there be a moments silence before he continued with his findings.

"I take your reactions as proof you do indeed remember Sato as someone you fired in the past. Now can you give me any details about the type of rituals he used to perform here?" Naru interrogated.

"Ah…yes. He was just another one of the night staff here, and he had been working here for years. Matter a fact his father was in the same line of work here, so the Sato's have their own history here. He would always chant on his nightly route, burn sage, and incense.

There were a number of odd things he would do around the museum. A few new staff members recently have been noticing his odd movements about the place, and made complaints. I gave him a number of warnings before I finally just had to let him go." Mr. Tachibana recalled regretfully.

"I'll also assume that you now see the connection between firing this man and the increase in activity? Tell me are you familiar with residual energy?" Naru question further.

'This guy can never get to the point; he's always got to explain step by step. Just tell the guy what's going on already.' Ayako said hoping that these last couple charms she'd been slaving over wouldn't go to waste.

"Yes, I've heard of it, but what does that have to do with our current situation." Their client mumbled confused.

"It is believed that humans and other entities can leave impressions on their environments, as well as personal items. For example, a troubled home leaves a residual imprint of stress and fear or a playground an imprint of excitement and happiness. What makes residual energy different from a regular haunting is the fact that it replays the same emotions from the most powerful significant event. What you seem to have here is an endless supply of items that have negative residual energy attached to them. Whether it be a fallen soldier's weapon in the war exhibit or pieces of clothing from a windowed geisha. Whether you realize it or not you've created a mecca of negative energy. It is my belief that Miro and perhaps even his father have been cleansing this place over the years. Once he was fired the negative residual energy just continued to pile up until it became an entity. A poltergeist to be more specific. Something that has never been human, and feeds on the negative emotions of others." Naru finished closing his notebook loudly.

Their client seemed to be digesting all this information, and the team was courteous enough to allow him at least that before they asked any questions of their own.

"So then you all will cleanse it, and I'll be rid of this…entity, right?" asked, his face looking grave.

"Discovering the reason behind the entities appearance is trivial compared to actually removing it from the premises, that's another matter altogether. This particular problem was never human. A medium won't be able to convince it to leave, so it's a matter of brute force. Especially considering that it's extremely aggressive, we'll have to proceed with caution. I don't recommend that we attempt an exorcism until the museum isn't filled with visitors. We will be preparing until the building is closed, and I suggest that none of your staff are present during this time. I won't be responsible for any of their injuries after this warning." Naru concluded addressing not only Mr. Tachibana, but informing his entire team of what they were about to delve into.

"Yes, thank you Mr. Shibuya. I will go alert my staff immediately. If there is anything else you'll be needing for tonight please inform me right away." He stood and bowed quickly his words practically falling from his lips as he rushed out the door, accidentally slamming it, but made no gesture to come back and apologize about it.

Monk sighed loudly and swiveled around in his chair.

"This is going to be a long night." He whined.

"No one is making you stay here Takigawa, if this night is going to be too long for you then you're- .." Naru started but was quickly cut off.

"THEN ….I'm welcomed to leave yadah- yadah. Man, Naru even after being colleagues and friends for this long you still give me this same old song and dance. As if I would leave and trust the safe guard of my little princess to the likes of you bunch." Monk joked and cackled loudly only to receive a prompt whack in the head with the paper roll. The priestess on the other side of it seemed fired up about something that he'd said.

"Ha! As if I couldn't take care of Mai. Stop grand standing you hairy Monk!" Ayako fired back glaring and daring him to fight back. The two began to argue loudly and Mai took this as her cue to start brewing some more tea.

'I have a bad feeling in my gut.' Mai let herself fall deep into her own thoughts.

'Am I ready?'

I don't want to be the one who gets everyone hurt.'

'I'm...scared. How do I control this.'

"You're just some dried up old man! Isn't that right Mai?" Ayako yelled and turn to the girl. Mai made no movement. She merely stood ominously over the electric kettle, the silence in the room brought everyone's attention to the girl who hadn't moved. Ayako and Monk exchanged a concerned and knowing look before Ayako slowly approached her, and shook her gently.

"Mai." It was then the girl jumped out of her deep trance a bit surprised by just how close Ayako had gotten without her notice.

"Oh my! You startled me." Mai said and started to laugh lightly. Ayako smiled weakly in return, but her concern had not ebbed.

"Are you okay? I was calling you but you were a bit zoned out." Mai let her thoughts return to the chain of events and she nodded her understanding.

"Oh me? Yeah, I'm fine." She stated shortly successfully convincing no one, not even herself. She scratched the back of her head and waved her other hand as to shoo away their trepidations. Normally this sort of thing would be swept under the rug, but Ayako was always one to be frank.

"Mai, if you're scared it's okay to say so. Do you not feel safe?" Ayako stroked her face loving searching her eyes for anything to make her doubt her answer. Mai laughed again this time it was genuine. She grabbed Ayako's hand and squeezed it in between her own reassuringly.

"Honestly, I am nervous knowing what a dangerous poltergeist we're dealing with, that doesn't really matter. This is the safest place I could be. With my friends. Right?" Mai said truthfully. Ayako nodded and hugged the girl tenderly. Whilst in her embrace Mai let her expression fall into something grimmer.

'Please.'

'Please.'

'Gods, please. I don't want anyone to get hurt. Let me be strong enough. So strong that no one will get hurt.' Mai repeated this over and over again to herself until it was time. Until there was no more waiting and night fell.

In more ways than one.

OMG! This took me forever to write I apologize to all my writers. I had a major brain fart right before the ending of the chapter and could not write something I was satisfied with. Anyway, Thank you to all the reviews that keep me going in the meantime. Your words and interest really do help me find the words I need to make this story happen. Thanks again and I'll try to update sooner next time.