Chapter 32

"Maybe she was right. I'm not sensing anything here Naru." Monk said walking around the field where the house once was.

"John what about you?" Naru asked not letting up.

"No, the area actually feels pretty serene." John said breathing in the fresh air.

"Alright, the two of you set up the camera and the signal enhancer then we'll head back." The boss ordered firmly.

"Umm… Naru?" Monk called and the boy didn't respond so he continued.

"We have to do something about Mai. I know it has only been a couple of days, but I don't think she's coping very well. She keeping lashing out and we need to get a handle on this before it spirals out of control. Think about it. First was the case where she broke her leg, then the one where her dream plane was infiltrated, the museum with her father, and then Keiko. She needs a break from this kind of stuff Naru. I hate to say it, but she's losing her grip on things. Anyone would in her situation." Monk voiced while he assembled the camera. Naru looked over at John who shared a sad look with him and nodded in agreeance.

"I'll take care of it. Now finish up." Naru replied and Monk nodded giving the boy a small smile.

Base consisted of Lin, Ayako, Yasuhara who were all waiting patiently for the trio to brief the team on the next steps in the investigation. Ayako was brooding to herself about the tussle she and Mai had and was thinking of how to approach the girl when she awoke. John walked into the tense base and noticed the edgy atmosphere immediately. He couldn't blame his teammates, he was sure a few of them had spent the entire night worrying about Mai. One team member, in particular, was beating herself up about her confrontation with the brunette school girl and it was written all over her face.

"Do we have a verdict, John?" Yasu asked looking up from some case files he and Lin were reviewing.

"I don't feel the spirit's presence anymore. Even returning to the house the atmosphere is much different than when we first arrived, but you know Kazuya. He had us place a camera and other recording devices at the site of the previous home. We'll most likely patch through the signal to monitor the area. I'm sure we will receive a briefing and further direction once Monk and Naru finish putting their things away." John relayed calmly.

Yasu nodded silently and returned to his research.

John's gaze returned to the quietest member of their base again, and he couldn't help but empathize with his teammate. He sat down silently next to her and gave her an empathetic glance once she looked up at him.

"I was too rough on her, wasn't I? She's not grieving well and I just made it worse. I sure am an idiot, huh?" Ayako spoke aloud.

"That isn't true Ayako. We all know how much you care for Mai, and we know you only acted out of passion and concern. Just as strongly as I know you love Mai; I am also sure that Mai loves you. The bible says that love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. We all just have to continue to show our love and support for her in this tough time." John said soothing Ayako of her doubt.

"I don't know if I've ever told you this John, but you're a great priest and a great friend. Thank you." Ayako smiled and hugged the priest and he blushed.

"Oh w-why thank you for paying me such a compliment," John said graciously.

"No John thank you. Your words have really up lifted me." Ayako said rising excitedly from the couch to help the others in what would hopefully be the end of this investigation.

"What's this?" Monk asked looking down at the slip of paper. He and Naru were in the room he shared with Lin standing across from each other.

"It's the number of the teacher Mai used to live with. It was entrusted to me from one of Mai's friends with specific instructions. I was ordered to only call if Mai wasn't morning Keiko's death well, and since you've brought the behavior to my attention here is the number." Naru said flatly.

"Mai's teacher, huh? Are we sure we should call just yet? It's only been a few days, and it's understandable that's she's acting out after such a traumatizing experience." Monk contemplated aloud.

"This person is serving as a precaution to any further self-destruction on Mai's part. Besides, it's better to acquaint ourselves with Mai's teacher before the situation becomes dire." Naru responded coolly.

"You do have a point, I guess. Here I'll put it on speaker." Monk said as he dialed the number and took a seat at the edge of one of the beds. On the fourth ring, a woman responded.

"Hello." The voice said.

"Hello… ugh good morning." Monk responded dumbly.

"You've reached the Hiraikotsu Dojo . How may I help you?" the women responded and Monk was a bit taken aback that the number belonged to a dojo.

"Hey. I'm calling on behalf of my friend Mai Taniyama, and I was wondering if I could speak with her teacher." Monk asked hesitatingly, hoping the number was correct.

"Oh my. This is her teacher speaking. My name is Kazaana Sango, and who am I speaking with?" She said her tone changing to a worried one.

"My name is Takigawa Houshou, I'm a friend of hers. Anyway, I'm calling to ask for your help. My colleague and I were told by one of Mai's friend's-"

"Michiru. She gave you a slip of paper with my number on it." Sango cut off already knowing.

"Yes. Exactly." Monk said sharing a knowing look with Naru.

"Say no more. This is about Mai's friend Keiko, isn't it? I received a call from Michiru informing me she'd passed the number to another person. Though she told me that the man's name was Shibuya Kazuya. Are you acquainted with this person?" Sango questioned further.

"Yes, I'm calling on his behalf as well." Monk responded looking at Naru briefly again.

"I see. I'll make preparations to come see her, but I won't be able to get anyone to look after the dojo for another two weeks at least. Is that alright?" Sango queried. Monk looked at Naru and the boy genius nodded his approval.

"Yes. That should be fine. Please inform us when you're due to arrive so we can help you with the proper lodgings. "Monk relayed to Sango.

"I actually know of a nearby dojo that I visit when I am in Shibuya. I'll seek lodgings there. In the meantime, don't tell Mai that I'm coming. I'd love to surprise her." Sango replied suspiciously causing Monk to raise an eyebrow in Naru's direction and he merely nodded again.

"Alright then. We'll keep in touch." Monk replied.

"Goodbye, Mr. Takigawa." She replied and hung up. Monk slid his phone back into his pocket and rose from his bed.

"Alright, let's head back to base." Naru said and Monk followed out.

Mai awoke from her dreamless sleep and took in the sun's position and noted the time.

4:18PM

'I should head to base. Naru will most likely be briefing the clients on the case if he hasn't already. I wonder why he let me sleep this long.' Mai said as she tamed her bedhead into a ponytail and took in her appearance with an uninterested glare. The swelling under her eyes had gone down a bit after her nap, which was somewhat relieving. She didn't want to dwell on her appearance too long and decided to get dressed. Making quick work of the task Mai bustled her way over to base.

When she reached for the doorknob, she suddenly remembered how she was received upon returning this morning.

'Maybe the reason no one woke me was because they're pissed off at me. Hmph… maybe I shouldn't head straight to base if they don't want me around.' Mai contemplated her next move and decided to head down to the kitchen. She double checked that her necklace was firmly in place before descending the stairs. Lucky for her it was empty even though both Mr. and Mrs. Kinjo's cars were parked outside.

'Okay, so he's definitely briefing them on the case right now. If he didn't wake me up for that then he really isn't happy with me. I'll just lay low then.' Mai resolved as she grabbed two apples from the kitchen and headed out the front door towards the barn.

It too was empty of people and Mai decided to take a seat next to one of the sheep pens. A lamb walked toward the front of the pen and cried out to the young girl as she took a bite of her apple. She continued to eat as the baby sheep eyed her apple greedily.

'Well, I did bring two.' Mai thought again and sighed aloud. Mai bit off a piece of the apple and fed it to the eager lamb until the first apple was completely gone.

"Alright now you thief this one is for me." Mai said and bit into the second apple. She let her thoughts wander, the very thoughts she'd been fighting hard against this entire case.

Her best friend was dead.

It was like some sick mantra she had to repeat over and over again just to numb herself to the reality of that fact.

'I can't keep doing this. I have to let her go.' Mai exhaled deeply forcing back the tears that wanted to fall. The lamb pushed its head against the back of her head and called to her again. Mai turned around and it nuzzled her neck making her laugh a bit to herself.

"Thanks little guy." Mai replied aloud.

"He's like that with anyone who feeds him." Kohaku said making Mai turn to face him, but she immediately returned her attention to her small friend.

"Your boss just informed us about the results of your investigation. Your Monk friend just left to do a final blessing of the site of the burned down house to make sure you finished the job." Kohaku relayed and Mai chose to continue to ignore him.

"What's with the cold shoulder girly?" He asked stepping into the barn towards her as she kept her silence.

"Alright since you clearly have no intention of saying anything I just wanted to say thank you. I know you're going through something or whatever, but you should remember that you aren't alone. Whenever you aren't there, you're all your friends talk about. Anyway, your boss said if tonight goes well that you'll be leaving in the morning so I just wanted to say that before it was too late. "Kohaku said and sighed.

"You're welcome. Thanks for the pep talk." Mai said and smiled. The boy wasn't all that bad and Mai knew it, but she just needed her space. All the same, she was happy she was able to grant him and his family some peace. It was humbling to hear his thanks.

"No problem." He responded returning the smile.

"Oh and Kohaku?" He stopped himself for a second time.

"Yeah?"

"Stop smoking. It's disgusting." Mai said and the boy laughed and waved his hand leaving Mai once more.

Luckily Monk's exorcism was uneventful and the team was on their way back to Shibuya in the morning. Naru occupied himself with a case file and Mai watched as the scenery passed her by. Things were tense between her and the team. She could feel it.

She hadn't spoken to Ayako since she slapped her, and it wasn't that she was upset with her. She was laying low with the entire team, the priestess was no exception. Mai knew deep down she was slowly coming to terms with Keiko's passing, but something was nagging her about the entire affair. It had everything to do with Keiko's boyfriend, and the fact that his father was the one to murder her. She'd have to conduct her own investigation because the way Keiko's life ended with lies and hurtful words made her stomach turn.

But where would she start?

She didn't even know Keiko's boyfriend that well, and if she were to suddenly start questioning him that could scare him off. If only she could ask the team for help since they were all skilled investigators. That would give her the answers she needed in no time at all.

There were several problems with that approach unfortunately.

Would Naru even allow an investigation and her use of the team's resources with no compensation for the conspiracy theory of his mental unbalanced assistant ?

No way.

They would all just pass it off as her imagination. The inner turmoil of the death of a close friend.

A good counter argument, but not true.

But there was a lack of evidence.

Just because he'd broken up with Keiko the night his estranged father killed her doesn't mean he had a hand in it. He could have felt guilty about it and didn't want to admit it to her already suffering family.

Even if he was guilty, how would they get the police involved? There was no way she could just present this all to an officer and them not get suspicious of her own movements. Naru wouldn't want her to drag his company's name through a potentially public controversy. That was just a few of the problems that came to mind.

If she was going to do this, she'd have to do it on her own.

Mai sighed heavily receiving subtle glances from Naru and Lin while they pulled up in front of the SPR building.

"Mai, help Lin unpack the van. When you're done meet me in my office. Bring tea." Naru said and walked up into his dungeon. Mai huffed loudly and was somewhat disappointed that Monk and Ayako had to drive John to the airport.

'He clearly means to chew me out.' Mai thought to herself grimly as she grabbed a camera and a couple wires and brought them into the office.

It only took about half an hour for the two of them to bring in and properly store the equipment. Mai noticed that they were almost out of tea again so she'd have to call Nigel to deliver more soon. Once the tea was done and Mai took a deep breath and knocked on her boss's door.

He voiced his permission and Mai walked in, placed the steaming cup in front of him, and sat down in the chair across from his own. He was typing some sort of document. Mai waited boredly for him to finish it up.

"Mai." He finally said looking her directly in the eye.

"Yes."

"On the previous case you disobeyed a direct order and placed yourself in danger. I asked you before we departed if you were ready to take the case and you told me you were. Do you have anything to say for yourself?" Naru asked coldly narrowing his eyes.

"There isn't much to say. My instincts were nagging me the entire time the spirit was pulling me or anybody who would listen to where he died. I resisted as long as I could. When I got the opportunity to do something about it, I took it. Besides I could feel the spirit beginning to lose itself, and if I hadn't gone there would no longer be any purification left for him. That's all there was to it." Mai explained plainly. Normally, she'd be more intimidated at the mere thought of Naru confronting her like this.

Today it seemed so small in the scheme of it all.

"You didn't think that this information was imperative to share with the rest of the team?" Naru queried further.

"I knew you'd never allow me to go by myself, so I just left. The spirit only trusted me because I was the only one who knew what happened to him." Mai replied and shrugged.

"That doesn't answer my question. You think we couldn't have figured out a way for you to safely confront the spirit, or that I couldn't have understood the circumstances?" Naru said his anger coming through his words now.

"No, I didn't think that you could. I don't understand why you're scolding me right now? I cleansed the spirit. No one was hurt. Case closed." Mai rebutted her own irritation suddenly bubbling up too.

"That isn't my point. You acted recklessly on a case not only endangering yourself, but your team. Today I gave you and opportunity to repent and see the error of your ways, but you clearly aren't taking it seriously. Therefore, Mai you are suspended from SPR until further notice." Naru said and Mai's scowl immediately dropped to an expression of shock.

"Wh-hat! You're suspending me?!" Mai said flabbergasted. She clearly hadn't seen this coming.

"Yes. Now pack your effects and head to the apartment. Lin, will drop off your things. Use this time to reflect on your decisions and focus on your studies. Once I decide you're ready you may rejoin the team." Naru said and Mai got up furiously pushing her chair back.

"Tell Lin not to bother. I can get back on my own." Mai got up and slammed the door behind her. She grabbed her coat and bag without looking back.