Vampy: Hopefully this chapter is just as good as the rest of them, and it's gonna be pretty long. The Murder Game case is going a lot longer than I thought it would, but that's okay. Also, I have added Lin's shikigami now! I've read multiple different fanfictions to find out just how many he has and how they are usually portrayed. So please, no flames about them cuz they took me forever to come up with! Also, happy halloween! I'm currently at school, dressed like the Joker from Batman. Heeheehee! I don't own anything from Ghost Hunt.A huge thanks to everyone who has reviewed/followed/favorited this story. I really appreciate your support! I hope that you continue to enjoy Race Against Time.
Gene/Ayum/Mai in dreams
Dreams
thoughts/Shi P.O.V.
After Masako had regained consciousness, all of the SPR members (apart from Mai, of course) sat in the lounge space to talk about what their next move should be. John sat with his arms around Masako who rested her head on his shoulder while Ayako inspected her perfectly manicured nails. Monk's knee bounced up and down rapidly as he waiting impatiently for Naru to finish looking over some papers he had asked Lin to bring out. After what seemed to be ages, Naru finally looked up with a somewhat smug expression.
"Devil Wood Mansion. That's where he's been holding her."
Monk leaned forward with both eagerness and annoyance in his expression. "How do you know? He owns over 10 different houses, Naru! They could be at any of them!"
"Only half of which are anywhere near our location andthis is the only one near a forest." The young man turned to Lin. "Print out directions to Devil Wood. I don't need anyone getting lost."
Lin gave Naru a look that said don't-think-I've-forgotten-about-our-earlier-conversation before nodding and typing away on his laptop (which he had grabbed as everyone made their way to the couches). Honestly, Naru found the fact that Lin could speak whole sentences without a single word both frightening and admirable.
Naru turned his gaze back to the others. "Matsuzaki, Takigawa, I'd like for the two of you to make charms to hold back any spirits who may try to stop us when we get Mai. Brown-san, please gather anything you may need for an exorcism."
"You really think an exorcism will be necessary, mate?" The gentle priest asked.
"I'm afraid it might be. As far as we know there are thirteen ghosts on the premises and I'm sure that at least one of them isn't going to be cleansed. Therefore I think it's best if we prepare for the worst. "
Besides, Naru thought grimly, if Shi's already completed most of the ritual, we're gonna need all the help we can get. . .
Mai stood in the room she had found behind the stained glass window. Her breath caught in her throat as she breathed in the smell of formaldehyde once again.
"Gene?" Mai whispered, fighting back her panic. The spirit guide appeared a moment later and took her hand.
"You are safe."
She found that a little bit hard to believe as a dozen girls appeared around them. None of them said or did anything; they simply stared at Mai.
"Shi killed all of you?" Mai was both surprised and pleased when her voice came out strong.
One girl came forward. She had an almost feral look about her and the other girls eyed her warily. "You have so much power. . ." A hungry look came into her eyes as she reached a hand towards Mai.
Without thinking, Mai touched the girl's forehead and a warm white light surrounded them. The other girls stared at the two in awe as a small ball floated upwards. A soft voice reached Mai's ears. "Thank you! I can finally see my family again."
A young woman with dark brown hair framing her heart shaped face walked up to Mai. "Thank you so much for helping Kagura. Her sanity started leaving her a few days ago."
"Ah ha!" Mai shouted and pointed a finger at her face, causing the girl to step back in alarm. "You're Tachibana-san's daughter!"
Mizuki smiled again. "That is correct. How could you tell?"
Mai smiled back at her. "You look like a younger version of your mother."
"Unfortunately, I will never get to become an older version." Mizuki's smile became sad.
This time Gene spoke up. " Why are all of you still here?"
Another of the young women answered. "We can't leave. We've tried, but something is blocking us from being able to move on. We've slowly been losing our hope, our minds, even our humanity." The other girls nodded in agreement.
"We need someone to help us reach peace." Mizuki explained, looking at Mai. "We need you."
Mai looked around at pleading and hopeful faces of Shi's victims. She wanted to help them. They deserved peace after everything that had happened to them. Filled with determination, she nodded and clasped her hands together as though in prayer. A wind seemed to come out of nowhere, whipping Mai's clothes and hair about. An even brighter light than before formed from within her, starting in her hands and spreading throughout her whole body.
Gene grinned as he watched Mai cross over every single one of the girls. None of the SPR members realized just how powerful Mai truly was. What a surprise it would be for them. His grin faded and was replaced with a serious look as he murmured, "If only you knew what the future holds for you, Mai. I can only hope that I'll be able to protect you. . ."
Naru and Lin looked over the map as the others stared at the forest that was spread out before them. Monk rubbed the back of his neck with an exhausted sigh. "This is gonna take forever. . . The ghost said that Mai got away, right? She could be anywhere in there!"
"As much as I hate to admit it, the old man is right. There's over a hundred miles of trees in this forest, and Mai is notorious for getting lost on our cases. It might take us hours or even days to find her and by the it might be to late." Ayako huffed, placing her hands on her hips.
Monk shot the miko a glare. "Gee, thanks for that vote of confidence."
John patted Monk's shoulder sympathetically. "Don't worry, mate. We'll find her."
"Of course we will." Masako agreed, holding her kimono sleeve delicately over her mouth. "We've found her every other time she's gotten lost on a case, why shouldn't we be able to find her now?"
Despite the way Masako said those words, everyone knew it was simply to hide the fact that she was extremely worried about Mai. The two had become close during the time Naru was in England and got together as often as they could.
"You know," Monk said thoughtfully, turning his gaze to Ayako once more. "You could do that thing with the trees and have them look for Mai, couldn't you?"
Ayako blinked in surprise, but Naru walked over to the group before she could reply. "Lin has sent his shiki out to see if they can find any trace of Mai. Takigawa, Lin, and I will wait here for them to return while Matsuzaki, Brown-san, and Hara-san go to Devil Wood to perform the exorcism." He glanced over at Ayako with a slight smirk on his face. "With as many trees as there are here, even you won't be able to botch up."
"Excuse me?!" Ayako shrieked, pointing a finger at the stoic young man. "I'll have you know th-"
Much to Ayako's annoyance, Naru ignored her and turned to Monk without even a glace at the red-haired woman. "Takigawa, you'll come with Lin and I to look for Mai."
Monk nodded in agreement, trying not to laugh as Ayako fumed. Unfortunately Ayako noticed his amusement and whacked him with her purse. "Ow!"
"Serves you right, stupid monk!"
"Old hag!"
John sighed inwardly. At least they're acting like themselves. . .
Mai woke up with a start. She looked around, trying to figure out what had brought her out of her slumber. It only took her a moment to locate her new guest.
One of Lin's shiki sat in front of her. Mai blinked in surprise. This was the first time she could actually see the shiki. The shiki took the form of a fox. Its tail twitched as it looked at her, head tilted to the side.
"Aren't you one of Lin's shiki?" Mai asked.
The fox nodded and, much to Mai's shock, spoke to her. My name is Itazura. Your spiritual powers have grown quite a bit if you're able to see me so clearly. And yes, Taniyama-sama, I am speaking in your mind. Are you injured at all?
Mai shook her head. "No."
Good. Then I shall go back and tell Master. I'm sure he will be back for you shortly.
Itazura stood up and was about to leave when Mai cried, "No! Don't leave me alone, please! Can't I just follow you back to the others?"
The little fox tilted her head at the human girl and studied her for a moment before giving Mai what looked like a grin. Well, Master never said not to lead you back to them, so I don't see why you shouldn't be able to!
Mai grinned back and wriggled her way out of her shelter, jumping when she saw the other shiki suddenly appear. There was a raven, a snake, a tiger, and a wolf. The raven moved forward, taking the form of a person. His hair was pure black and fell to the middle of his back despite the fact that it was pulled into a ponytail. He wore a yukata with a feather pattern on it.
He bowed slightly to Mai. "Taniyama-sama, I am glad Itazura managed to find you. I am Karasu. And these," he motioned towards the other three who were still in their animal forms, "are Doku, Sutoraipu, and Okami."
Mai bowed back politely. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Karasu."
"Come on now, we haven't got time for formalities! Master said to return to him as soon as we found the girl." Doku hissed.
Karasu looked sharply at the snake, but inclined his head respectfully. "Very well. If you will follow us, Taniyama-sama, we will take you back to the others."
