Hey readers long time no see!

Excited to be back with another chapter and hope you guys love the new chapter. I was recently reading a piece of fiction that was remarkably similar to some of my plot lines and got inspired to get back into it. Thank you for all of you who rate and review as always. It keeps me motivated to keep bringing you this stuff.

All art is related and inspired (this is fanfiction ;) )

Happy Reading

Chapter 45

Naru had just completed a concise email to the head master of the academy about the actions they'd be taking this afternoon. It included testimony from students and even a few staff about the subject in question, as well as some damning statements in regard to the conduct of said person. There were also explicit instructions on how to handle the outside investigation that was sure to ensue once the police were inevitably involved.

After all, this was a private institution with prestigious students and staff.

Naru was actually surprised that violence of this level could be kept secret from the public.

Then again, money could make a lot of reprehensible things happen.

Needless to say, he didn't trust the headmaster much to begin with, regardless of whether or not he was the client. The seedy figure would no doubt be called to resign if the public was aware of the severity of the situation. He could only hope the administrator would value the lives of his students over his title and career.

After all, he did arrive at their doorstep not long ago pleading for assistance.

He seemed like one of those types who just wanted things his way, no matter the cost or consequences to those around him. Either way, he was an integral part of wrapping up this investigation. Ordinarily, he'd bring in the client and discuss possible solutions before acting, but this email would have to suffice in the interest of time, safety, and efficiency. A certain loud brunette would be appalled at him appeasing anyone like that, but she was not here.

A resolute solution was needed as quickly as possible.

He'd never noticed the picture on her keychain before now. On one side was a picture of what he had to assume were her late parents. The image of her father he could remember from their museum case. Mai also had another picture of him in her room at their apartment. Naru was generally surprised that she kept so many images of the man when their relationship was so dicey.

He supposed that her feelings must have been complicated; good memories as well as bad.

Mai also shared some of her mother's features, but ironically looked more like her father. He flipped the hard plastic photo case over to see a picture Madoka had taken of the team. It was after the case they'd completed for the prime minister. None of them, not even her partner in crime Yasuhara, took notice of the woman with the camera. They were all seated in the office debriefing so Mai could get a proper account of the case for their files. Yasuhara was serving tea to Ms. Hara, while John reached for one of the cookies on the tray. Ayako and Monk seemed deep in conversation about some phenomenon, most likely how it was possible for Urado to phase through walls. Lin was typing on his laptop and had been the only one to be looking up as Madoka was taking the picture. Naru himself was reading over Mai's notes and correcting her methods of recording each phenomenon they'd experienced.

'I shouldn't be touching these keys. I have to finish this case, but another look wouldn't drain too much.' Naru weighed his options as he sat in base alone.

Just as he was about to jump into a vision the door opened.

It was Takigawa.

The monk walked in cautiously and noted that they were alone, and seemed amused that Lin wasn't present either.

"Naru. I'd like a word." Takigawa started darkly. Naru motioned his hand to the seat across from his own, but the Monk made no motion to approach. Almost like he didn't trust himself enough to get closer.

"Why are you still here?" Monk started with some underlying anger seeping into his words. Naru could have thought of any number of sarcastic responses to throw at his employee but relented to a plainer more precise one.

"I'm finishing this case." Was all he responded.

It was clear that this was about Mai.

"You are Oliver Davis. Expert at finding the missing. Why the hell aren't you out there finding her! DON'T YOU-" Takigawa calmed himself and started again. "Don't you even care about where she is right now? With that psycho? Who could be doing anything to her as we speak? What are you still doing here? You should be going after her!" Takigawa raved his eyes becoming furiously wild.

"Go after her and leave my team here to… what… face a maniac who kills children to gain power. There is a reason I sent Yasuhara after her. He has the skills and the resources to find her more efficiently than I could. More importantly, if he is able to lead the police to the culprit; Kasai can be arrested and tried for his crimes." Naru maintained, but couldn't help but to be offended that Takigawa doubted him.

"Don't give me that crap! The police could very well throw her picture into the pile of hundreds of people who go missing every week! Time wasted that Mai could be back with us! Stop pretending that losing her forever isn't a possibility! SHE DOESN'T HAVE TIME! WHAT SHE HAS IS US!" Takigawa yelled nearly foaming at the mouth.

"Do you honestly think that if I were to go and find Mai right now that any of this would be resolved? Do you think I currently have the capacity or control over my PK to successfully rescue her without killing someone else?! I could very well kill all three of us in the process and then what Takigawa?! I'm not God. I cannot do everything that I want too no matter how much I care about the person on the other end of the visions. Everything I have done up until now has been because I do know what is best. Unlike you, I'm not clouded by how much I want her back." Naru spat mercilessly.

Takigawa narrowed his eyes and seemed to be processing everything that Naru said.

A heavy silence persisted until the older of the two men spoke.

"…You are right. The best way to protect Mai right now is to send the police but doesn't make the fear of losing her any less...real. I apologize for doubting your motives." Monk expressed, thinking a bit clearer now but maintaining his distance.

"As Matsuzaki said… Mai isn't here to recklessly question my methods so someone had to." Naru responded plainly with the ghost of a smirk on his face.

Takigawa looked a bit taken aback at his response.

"Did you just agree with Ayako? Did you just make a joke? You even admitted to caring about Mai, albeit in your own brooding way. Is Naru the narcissist turning into a man in front of my very eyes?" Monk jested and Naru just rolled his eyes.

"Have you completed your preparations?" Naru spoke again ready to get back to business.

"Yes. Have you already figured out how exactly we'll be luring this puppet master outside to Lin and Ayako? She definitely must suspect that we're onto her. At the very least, she is wary of our entire group. She won't fall for just anything." Takigawa reasoned.

"Yes. I have taken it into account, but trust us or not. She must leave the building eventually, and while we cannot prevent her from leaving, we can stop her shikigami with a barrier. That is where you will come in. There are barriers that only humans can pass, which you will cast as soon as she exits the school building. Then she'll have to make a choice. Leave behind the items that bind the shiki or confront us. I'm sure from her perspective the second will be much more likely. Even if she does flee, we'll be able to dispose of the shiki." Naru concocted walking over to the cameras looking to see if anything was amiss.

"Right. That is all right and good, but this is a school. There are more than twenty possible exits! Even if I corner her in one. How easy would it be for her to turn around and find three others? There are more exits than team members here Naru!" Monk countered.

Naru pointed to a box in the seat that Lin was sitting in not too long ago. There was a bit of Chinese on it, but Monk could only understand bits and pieces. He lifted it and noticed it was somewhat heavy. He looked over at his protégée who nodded for him to open it. He was surprised at what he saw inside.

Black Salt.

Monk had seen it used and offered to some people at the temple who complained of terrible spiritual problems. Never before had he seen some much of it in one place.

"Okay. We can definitely seal off all the exits with this and it's more than enough, but there are only two of us. There is no way we can get all the doors and windows before she exits the building." Monk relented again carefully closing the box and setting it back down.

"We don't need to do them all. The counseling office is on the west side of the building near the parking lot. From there we'll cut off the main hall so she'll have to use one of three exits on that side of the building. Two will be cut off. Lin will come up the main hall, John will take a sealed exit, and I will take the other. You will be at the unsealed exit ready with the barrier. While you separate the shikigami Ayako will hold our culprit as long as possible. Once the barrier is set everyone will join you to assist in relieving our perp of the items." Naru finished never looking away from the monitors.

"It's not bad, but she's still human. She can shift the salt and find another way out. Although… with the number of souls she's enslaved it will be difficult for her to pull them across with her. With all of us there to force her in another direction, it might be easier, but so many shikigami… it could be tough." Monk weighed mentally.

"Yes, but the longer she fights us and the more shiki she uses the more exhausted she'll become. Yura Eto will fold eventually. Now, all the after-school programs have ended and the staff are trickling out. It's time." Naru ordered picking up the box and exiting base with Takigawa not far behind.

They were both stopped on their way out by an unhappy Lin.

"I cannot allow you to approach the sorceress without me. Takigawa and I will swap places. He and John will guard the remaining exits while Masako and Ayako await your arrival. That or no deal." Lin boomed down to the young scientist. Silence ensued and Monk merely darted his eyes between the two stubborn men.

"Fine. There will be adjustment and Takigawa will hold off on the barrier until we disarm the culprit. That or no deal." He mocked smirking and Lin nodded solemnly.

Lin knew that if he didn't intervene now and again Naru would forget his role in Japan was to protect him at all costs. Things were getting more and more dangerous lately and he'd be damned if he allowed anything to happen to the boy.

"How long were you ease dropping exactly?" Monk inquired knowing he most likely heard their argument but didn't intervene.

As expected, Lin said nothing and returned to base while Monk and Naru continued on their mission.

There was the usual hum of phones, radios, and even some yelling back and forth. The smell of coffee was effervescent and most people were too wrapped up in their own work to notice him. Especially, when he was moving forward with so much purpose. Besides, it wasn't like he wasn't accustomed to this kind of environment.

He knew how to act.

How to blend.

More importantly, he knew how to find answers.

"Excuse me… sir!" A female voice called out.

Yasuhara turned around to see the face of the young desk attendant. She must have been new. He approached her dutifully quickly noticing her stern expression.

"Is there someone here you are looking to see?" The attendant asked looking over her list on a clipboard.

'What is this a club? Something tells me I'm definitely not on that list.' The young investigator quickly deducted.

"I'm looking for the detectives working the Taniyama kidnapping case. I was supposed to come down here to hear what their new findings are." Yasuhara responded with a little white lie. After all, they were supposed to contact him, but he was just being thorough.

"Name."

"Yasuhara Osamu." He said and her eye widened.

"You wouldn't happen to be related to detective Osamu… would you?" The desk attendant looked at his face and squinted. Yasuhara slammed his hand on top of the desk, uncharacteristically losing his patient.

"Fresh kidnapping case! Are the detectives here or not?" He yelled removing his glasses.

"I'll take that as a yes. Just a moment sir." The attendant got up and disappeared further into the sea of noise. He pinched the bridge of his nose and exhaled heavily.

'Keep it together Yasuhara. Cases don't get solved by losing your cool at the front desk. I got to use my head.' Yasuhara thought to himself and placed his glasses back on as the attendant came back with the familiar face.

"My partner and I actually do have some new information for you. Right this way." Yasuhara followed him into a room that looked like it was used for interrogations. The officer closed the door behind him and sat directly across from Yasu.

"Just jog my memory. What exactly is your relationship with Ms. Taniyama?" The officer indulged with a raised eyebrow. Yasu let his eyes lower to the name tag, and it was dimly reflected in the low light.

"We are friends and coworkers." Yasuhara responded curtly.

"Right… when was the last time you saw Taniyama before she went missing?" The officer pressed on. Yasuhara soon realized where he was going with the disbelieving tone.

The officer clearly still had suspicions that he might be involved in Mai's disappearance.

"The library here at the Shibuya police station. I've done an investigation on her behalf as I told you after I called you to her apartment building. Is there a reason why you're asking me these questions sir?" Yasuhara responded feigning confusion.

'I'll have to change my angle. This is going to be a total waste of time if I don't.' Yasuhara prompted himself.

"As I stated before, you are our number one suspect in my eyes. How am I supposed to believe that this whole stalker situation hasn't been fabricated by you to throw us off the trail of the girl?" The cop folding his arms and eying the youth suspiciously.

"Well, I have other clients I've done private investigations for who can vouch for my previous work. As well as our fellow coworkers who can support our relationship. Officer Maki, if I may voice my concerns for a moment. I have told you that friend and coworker has gone missing, and we are wasting time here while anything could be transpiring right now. Please, at least share with me the progress of your investigation. There are other people who care about her who have next to nothing to go on. Please, sir, I'm begging."

Yasuhara implored.

Yasu was tempted to share what he had already deduced, but he didn't want to give this pinhead officer any further reason to suspect him. The officer kept his stiff glance at the lad across from him when the door buzzer rang, and the young woman from the desk came in with a few folders.

"The documents you requested sir." She said quickly the officer nodded and she dismissed herself.

"I'm just being methodical kid. I've seen a lot in my time as a cop, and I have to be sure that the people I share information with run clear in our system. Everything you've told me has checked out according to our background information, so I can share some of our progress with you." Officer Maki responded curtly before placing the newly acquired files onto the table in front of him.

"Alright, we got a match on the car we spotted leaving the victim's building from the street cameras. The vehicle is registered to a Muso Taniyama. According to our system is the name of the victim's father who evidently has been dead for a number of years now. I'm not sure how this was possible, but we currently have put the vehicle on the flag list for all units. Although, something tells me if the kidnapper was clever enough to register a vehicle to a deceased person in our system; they've most likely changed the plates or ditched the vehicle already. Our next steps would be to check in on this Kasai fellow. He's apparently still been showing up to work and school without any variations. My partner is tailing him now and seeing if he does anything suspicious. We still plan to take him in for questioning if nothing transpires relatively soon." The police officer reviewed swiftly.

"What about Mai?! How are you going to find her?" Yasu urged. The officer closed the folder and exhaled and met eyes with the boy.

"Right now, our enemy is that no one knows that your friend is missing. The more people who know the more likely it is that she'll be found. You can choose the method whether it be social media or the press. Chances are someone has seen something. The phone was left at the scene of the crime; therefore, we can't track it. Other than that, keeping our eye on the suspect could be promising." The officer communicated.

As an investigator, Yasuhara could understand the angle of the investigation, but there was still more he knew he could do.

So he would do it.

"Well, I'll be looking for leads of my own. If I call you guys, will you come?" Yasuhara inquired. The officer raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms.

"Sir, I suggest you don't do anything that might get you in trouble. Don't cause your coworkers and friends anymore heartache." The officer implored and Yasuhara sighed.

"I'm sure you've come across our joint occupation in your report. We are a team of psychic investigators so naturally; we'll all be looking for her in our own way as well. Now, Officer Maki, if I find any clues and I call… will you come?" Yasuhara inquired again, his eyes guarded but hopeful.

The officer had seen the file on the company, but all the clients seemed more than pleased with the services rendered by this ghost hunting group. Many had even spoken well of the victim of the kidnapping.

What was more interesting was that this boy's father was pretty high up in the chain of commands at the department. Officer Maki expected the boy to start attempting to shift his father's weight around the second things got tough in the interrogation room, but no such thing transpired. Even now he was asking him for help, and not his old man.

Either this kid and his father had a bad relationship or this was a matter of pride to him.

"Yes, I will show up. Let me know if you find any clues. Here's my card." Officer Maki affirmed.

Yasu bowed, taking the card, then left the room.

He noticed the black undercover police vehicle as soon as he exited school that afternoon, but it was fine. This was exactly what he had planned for. He had his partner handling business up at the cabin, and the more time Mai spent in the dark the better. Soon she would be completely obedient to him and everyone will have forgotten all about her.

He had never broken anyone in this way before.

It would be interesting to watch her progress.

Or rather…her regression.

Truthfully it was difficult to not go back there and play around with her some more. Kasai was still reeling from their last encounter. The sounds she made, the way she begged for him to stop; it was simply euphoric. He just had to wait and trust his partner to handle things, until then he would have to pretend like nothing had changed in his schedule.

'Maybe if I feel particularly cunning, I'll visit Keiko and cry for a bit.' Kasai thought to himself and chuckled darkly. He was confident with time and patience the entire kidnapping would blow over, and no one would find Mai. Just like every other missing case in a big city.

He just had to be patient and allow things to play out just as they were destined. Kasai was willing to wait years if that is what it took.

Besides, this was the most fun he'd ever had in his short life.

Why would he want to spoil it now?

It was a bit chilly outside and Mai had already changed her hiding spot twice from the cave to a hollowed-out trunk, and now on the downside of a small hill. She was quick to spot a sturdy stick to help her walk through the twigs and roughage. She tied her small bag of supplies to it and took her time in between stops to make sure to cover her own tracks.

Mai knew next to nothing about the man Gene had possessed.

Even when his mask was removed, she was positive that she'd never seen him before.

'What is his incentive in all this? Is he also connected to my family somehow, or maybe to Keiko? He definitely is loyal to Kasai, especially if he was willing to clean out some stranger's toilet bucket.' Mai was beginning to regret not grabbing any medicine or painkillers from the cabinet, or at the very least the wine.

She was pretty badly hurt still and still running on very little food and water. She looked up at the sky and noted the waves of pink and orange bleeding into red. She wanted to cry, but the very real fear of dehydration made her keep a stiff upper lip. The darkness had been so disorienting Mai couldn't even be sure how much time had passed in between her waking state and sleep. At best she would guess a few days and at absolute worse would be a week.

'I can't be that far from the road and I still haven't heard the smallest inkling of a vehicle passing. Then again, the wind through the trees sounded so similar. Assuming no cars have passed since I've been out here then the nearest form of civilization must be pretty far. Meaning the best way I can survive this is to keep moving forward and hiding. It'd be best to get some sleep and a deeper hiding place before the sun fully set.' Mai pulled herself up shuffled the leaves a bit and limped forward.

'I'm going to live through this. I'm going to survive this.' Mai repeated the mantra as she pushed forward through the darkening forest.

He distributed the salt densely across the threshold and had even placed a sign to prevent any unforeseen parties from destroying their barrier. Takigawa was under the impression that a posted sign would only have the opposite effect on school children, but Naru paid him little mind.

Each section was completed and Takigawa had briefed the rest of the team on the plan. They all came to similar conclusions that, as usual, Naru's plan was their best available option. Currently, each team member resided at their posts, armed with walkie-talkies, sutras, and dressed in their traditional garb.

Naru had to admit that he was far more nervous than any case he could recall. Theoretically, this case wasn't any less dangerous than any other he had taken in the past. The difference was the desperation he felt for it to come to a swift conclusion. Previous cases all gave him a sort of purpose, and beneath that it gave him the thrill of exercising his mind. They made him feel alive, even after one of the most important parts of himself was dead. His brother.

Now, there was no thrill in the process.

Only anxiety.

Only anguish.

It was no longer a game. It was survival. For his sanity to remain tightly woven he had to win.

Things had to go his way.

And he was ready to make the necessary sacrifices in order for that to be true.

"Is everyone in position?" Naru called into his hand radio. Each member of the team communicated the affirmative.

"Alright. Lin. Begin." Naru ordered and the omniyoji proceeded forward to the guidance office and knocked on the door.

"Come in." A light voice sang and Lin proceeded into the room. There behind the desk sat the school's guidance counselor. As pretty as you like, Yura Eto was drinking a cup a tea staring out the window upon the sunset.

"Ahh… one of the ghost hunters has finally stumbled in. I wondered when you fanatics would wander my way." Yura said chuckling lightly before continuing.

"No need to go through with your silly little plan. I've been spying on you guys and listening in on your conversations from the moment you and your team arrived. Obviously not with my shiki. I'm not so foolish since someone on your team would have already sensed that. I placed a few microphones in the drop ceiling in your base. It seems you all have been having your fair share of internal anarchy." Yura announced eying Lin. Lin narrowed his eyes and he slowly approached her desk.

"To think this little group of ghost hunters is toting the world famous Dr. Oliver Davis. He truly is quite the handsome young man, but so very troubled." Yura sipped her tea and sighed facetiously.

"Regardless of whether you know of our plan or not. That doesn't change the fact you are trapped with few options for escape." Lin stated with a hardened expression.

"No, it doesn't but I did wait here patiently while you blocked off my exits, did I not? Furthermore, your entire plan assumes that I want to fight my way out of this situation. No, that isn't like me at all I'm afraid. Perhaps we can all come to an understanding of some kind where we all are pleased with the results. I am a guidance counselor after all. " Yura baited letting her eyes travel over to Lin's stanch figure.

"I'm afraid any situation that doesn't release your shikigami and put you behind bars isn't desirable to me, so I doubt we'll be able to come to an understanding on this front." Lin responded harshly. Yura sighed and stood up front her chair. She took the time to straighten up her papers and placed them into her briefcase.

"Well then, boys. Let's see how you'll force an innocent woman to relinquish her belongings. Do you just plan on stalking me out or just manhandling me to the ground? Though, I might like the second one." She ended looking both men up and down.

"No such thing. Even if you have been spying on my team, we've only voiced this plan a few moments ago. I must admit that I am equally curious to see how you plan to counter us." Dr. Davis offered. Yura resumed packing her things and closed her briefcase.

"Oh… you'll see." She laughed and made her way to the door. Lin rose his hand to his mouth ready to call his shiki if necessary, but Oliver placed his hand out. He met his protégée's eye and shook his head, allowing the woman to walk right by them. She paused in the doorway and waited.

"Are you two coming?" She implored with pseudo-innocence. The men followed behind her and noted how she took the exact route that their plan prescribed. Finally, she pushed open the door and Takigawa was waiting there for her.

"Ah… so you must be the Monk, and that redhead is supposed to be strong enough to subdue me. Alright, let's see it then." Yura implored boredly.

Ayako raised an eyebrow at the woman and smirked.

Ayako walked right up to Ms. Eto, not in the slightest deterred by her cocky attitude. After all, she was positive hers was bigger and badder than some soul-sucking witch.

Rin

Pyou

Tou

Shah

Kai

Chin

Retsu

Zai

Zen

Yura indeed became stiff but was visibly shaking, which was not a good sign. Though she could not move most of her body, she threw her head back and laughed. Masako squinted her eyes at the daft woman and approached her, flanking Naru.

"This is supposed to hold me for 15 minutes ?! I bet three at best." Yura continued to laugh as Ayako held her position and concentration. Lin was quick to radio in John and Monk to assist with the operation now that the building had been cleared. In her struggling Yura's briefcase slipped from her hand and onto the floor. Naru approached and picked it up.

"So is pretty boy here going to pick the lock on my personal briefcase? I'd have to advise against it. Confidentially laws prevent me from showing our students personal sessions with anyone including close family and kin. This is also a private institution with many parents who wouldn't be too thrilled at the potential for their children's personal information being handled by a group of crazed shadow chasers." Yura preached cockily as she continued to struggle against Ayako's bind.

"As you know, I have no interest or intention to seek out paperwork. I'm merely verifying a testimony I received from one of your current patients. One of which recently lost a sibling to suicide after repeated sessions with you." Naru looked over at the young exorcist and Monk quickly approaching. Monk yanked a satchel out of his back pocket and for good measure created a circle of black salt around the guidance counselor in question.

"Lin. How many items do you think are in here?" Naru asked and his guardian whistled melodically. One of his shiki began to wrap around the briefcase but was pushed back instant.

"Yes, you fool. A barrier. "Yura countered with a snicker, but sweat was starting to appear on both her an Ayako's faces.

"I can sense their souls. They are definitely in this briefcase." Masako informed.

"John, Monk, exorcised it." Naru commanded and the priest nodded.

"NO!" Masako yelled and they both looked at her wide-eyed. Monk only smirked expecting as much from their TV personality.

"Dispatch the barrier, but do not harm these souls." Masako responded her voice commanded firmly; her eyes wild like fire.

"We are going to continue but you'll have to let us know if the spirits are in pain. Theoretically, this barrier may keep the items in, but also shields the souls from any outside attacks." Monk theorized and both the medium and priest nodded as they began.

"On kiri On Kiri kiri hatta…."

"We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield…"

Their chants resounded relentlessly as Masako stood nearby with her eyes closed in focused. She was waiting for any sign that the spirits were in pain or in danger. Her counterparts continued and luckily she made no motion to stop them, which meant Yura's buffer could ironically shield the lives she'd stolen.

"Times up Miko!" Yura said calmly with a smirk, but Ayako made no movements from her current positions, keeping her concentration firm. Yura's arm began to separate from her sides slowly and Ayako kept her stance but began chanting quietly. Naru and Lin stood aside and waited for either Yura or John and Takigawa to break through with bated breath.

Who would be first?