Just in case it wasn't clear before: I don't own any of the Ghost Hunt characters and the rating is at T at the moment so there might be swearing in further chapters.
Enjoy!
Chapter 5
"Crap!"
Sliding across the wooden floors in her socks, Mai leaped over her solitary duffle bag before running towards the bathroom before, unfortunately, slamming straight into the closed bathroom door.
"For fu-hu-dge sakes", Mai hissed to herself, quickly corrected herself while gently moving away from the door, cradling her abused ribs where the doorknob had decided to make itself home.
Quickly shaking off the pain, Mai opened the door before leaping into the bathroom, grabbing all necessary toiletries before stuffing them into the little bag reserved for them before throwing said bag across the room, it conveniently landing directly into her duffle, Mai throwing her hands up in a silent victory cheer.
Looking around the room to confirm that she had collected all necessary items for her week long stay. Everything seemed to be in order before Mai looked back down at the watch on her wrist, another curse escaping her realizing she had limited time to actually catch a train and make it to the SPR office.
Quickly donning her coat, scarf, beanie and gloves, Mai pulled her bag over her shoulder before locking up the apartment, already starting to worry if she left the stove on. It'd been a long while since she'd left the apartment for more than a day or two, technically she hadn't left that long since SPR was open.
Briefly shaking the worrying thoughts from her addled mind, Mai flew down the apartment steps before hurrying towards the train station, struggling against the combination of snow, wind and her heavy duffle bag.
Climbing up the steps of the SPR office, Mai hovered her hand over the doorknob, her hand beginning to shake, not in fear, but in anticipation.
'God, it's been so long', she thought nostalgically, familiar feelings from the past beginning to wash over her. Anticipation, fear, excitement, happiness. These feelings were rushing over like the rising tide, but she didn't feel overwhelmed.
She felt right at home.
Just as Mai grasped the doorknob to open the door, she suddenly found herself jerked forward as the door flew inwards, taking Mai and her duffle bag with her.
"Son of a-" Mai yelped, quickly finding herself on the carpeted floor, yelping again when her bag landing heavily on her hip.
"Ugh", Mai grunted, rolling herself over onto her back while shoving her bag off of her hip.
Finally opening her eyes to look skyward, Mai found a mischievous pair of grey eyes behind a pair of thin-framed glasses looking down on her, a blinding smile covering his lips.
"Yasu," Mai growled, a glare directed up at him.
"Mai!" yelped happily, before the glint in his eyes began to strengthen, a sly smile covering his face.
"Don't. You. Dare." Mai hissed, warning him and knowing exactly his train of thought. If he even dared-
Mai felt the air leave her lungs as a heavy body fell forward onto her, arms wrapping around her tiny form, compared to his.
"Mai!" Yasuhara crooned, while rubbing his cheek against hers, "I've missed yoooou. Why haven't you replied to my messages?" he whined in her ear pitifully.
Finally managing to work her arms under his body, "Get off, fatty", she grunted succeeding in shoving his body off of hers, finally sucking in the sweet, live-giving air.
Hearing the thump of Yasuhara landing beside her, Mai rolled back onto her feet before placing her heavy bag on Yasuhara's back, hearing him wail behind her "Maaaaaaai!"
Finally turning to look around the room, she found the whole group staring at her, some in amusement, and others in exasperation.
"Hey, baka!" Bou-san yelled at a still wailing Yasuhara, "Stay away from my sweet Mai-chan!" he threatened, while wagging a finger at Yasuhara.
Finally finished in his wailing, Yasuhara leapt to his feet after pushing the bag off his back easily, walking confidently over to Bou-san before kneeling down in front of him, clasping one of his hands tightly in both of his.
"Oh, Bou-chan", he crooned, "don't be jealous. You're still the only man for me", he finished before leaning in to caress Bou-sans face, which was turning a shade of green.
Finally slapping the hand away, Bou-san simply pointed a finger while glaring at a chuckling Yasuhara, before sitting back down next to Ayako.
Mai rolled her eyes before making her way over to the free couch away from the pair and across from Lin, Naru and surprisingly Masako, who still appeared the same, maybe having grown a few inches and lost some of her baby fat, Masako still appeared as an elegant yet creepy little doll, holding her sleeve up towards her mouth, her eyes glaring at Mai.
With a shiver racking her spine, Mai finally turned away and looked to her left, seeing John sitting in his own chair quietly with a smile on his face.
"John!" my crowed happily, standing up to meet the man halfway and enfolding the man in her arms, who in turn tucked her firmly to his chest, a happy chuckle rumbling in his chest which Mai had her head rested against.
"It's so good to see you!" she said after finally pulling away, patting him on the arm and fixing his shaggy hair for him, John replying in kind.
Hearing a clearing of a throat behind her, Mai rolled her eyes before smiling at John and moving towards the empty couch and taking a seat by the arm of the chair. However, her other side way quickly filled by Yasuhara, who stole all personal space she had and then some, snuggling down into her side and pushing her crossed legs even further into the arm of the couch.
Giving him an exasperated look, Mai finally looked across the room and calmly met Naru's eyes, vaguely seeing in the corner of her eye Bou-san pointing a threatening finger at Yasuhara, who seemed to relish in the threat by squishing Mai even further.
Naru swept his gaze over the group before nodding towards Lin who pulled out five folders from a pile on the table, and handing them out to each person.
Smiling at Lin after receiving her copy, Mai jammed her elbow into Yasuhara's side, who gave a yelp before moving over slightly to give her room to flip the file open.
The first page of the file seemed to contain copies of newspaper clippings, detailing the kidnapping of a girl in Hokkaido. But after looking underneath the first, it showed newspaper clippings of another six women that had gone missing, centering in the Chitose region. Mai's mind clicked, she had seen this on the news earlier.
It showed that none of them had shown back up after their disappearances, not even any bodies, but what all of them had in common was that they had been staying in a specific inn at the time; Nakamaru Ryokan, which had been open since the early 19th century and had been popular ever since. The inn laid a bit away from the town according to the map attached to the file, and was surrounded by a thriving forest which was known for its hunting and wildlife.
Not much more information appeared to be in the file other than what had been presented to the public.
"You all would have heard about the missing persons in Hokkaido," Naru said, more than asked, "all vanishing from Nakamaru Ryokan, a popular inn known for its relaxing environment and lavish design."
"So, is there something paranormal about these missing girls?" Bou-san asked skeptically.
"Yes, not that you would have heard anything broadcasted to the public." Naru confirmed, "The owners didn't want to scare away any potential customers than it already had" Mai and Bou-san shooting each other dry amused looks before directing their attention back to Naru. "For now, they've closed the inn for us to investigate."
"Okay," Mai began curiously, "So, what paranormal activity have they experienced?"
"Loud noises, lights and taps turning on and off, customers possessions going missing, seeing ghostly figures, cold spots, those are some of the activity they've experienced." Lin took over, reading from a file in his hand, "However, considering the disappearances that have also occurred, it brings the case into a more serious light," he said in his deep but quiet voice.
The group all agreed, a mutual hum echoing through the room.
"Before we go," Naru interjected, "you must be made aware that there is a higher level of danger concerning this case compared to the cases we have had in the past," he continued, "especially for the women", he concluded, looking pointedly at Ayako, Masako and Mai.
Mai and Ayako looked at each other before nodding. There would always be danger with this job, and this case wouldn't be any different. Bou-san looked ready to interject before Ayako pinched his thigh, promptly shutting him up.
Seeing no objections, Naru nodded to himself before standing, Lin collecting the necessary folders before walking to the back of the room.
"So," Mai began as everyone began grabbing their items, "are we driving or…?" she asked uncertainly, knowing it was a 16 hour drive just to get to Hokkaido.
Everyone seemed to pause before looking at each other, uncertain as well.
Naru turned before answering, while giving her a dry look "No, Mai", he smirked, "We'll be flying".
Mai's face turned blank before she nodded, turning towards Bou-san after Naru turned away.
"Do-Do I need a passport, or…?" Mai asked uncertainly.
Bou-san stared at Mai before his face broke out into a grin of realization, "Mai, you've never been on a plane before, have you?" he practically purred.
"N-no…?" she asked hesitantly before feeling her feet leave the ground, Bou-san rubbing his cheek against her head, messing her hair and making her cheek go red from the stubble on his chin.
"So cute," Bou-san mumbled gleefully to himself, before Ayako saved Mai by smacking him in the head with her purse.
"Aya!" he yelped, cowering from the hovering bag, "What was that for, hag?!"
"Stop molesting Mai!" she growled back.
"But she's never been on a plane before!" He yelled back, alerting everybody in the room of the fact now, causing Mai to groan and facepalm. Now it was public knowledge.
Before she knew it, she was surrounded. Yasu had Mai cradled in his arms who stood deadpan, cooing to her while Ayako patted her head, reassuring her that it would be fine. John just smiled by her elbow supportively.
"Guys. I'm not worried", she said exasperatedly while batting away the hands touching her, fixing her hair and straightening her clothes, "Don't we have to go?" she questioned.
Naru clicked his briefcase closed before turning and looking at his watch, nodding and telling everyone to go out front to the cars.
Standing in front of the cars while Bou-san put her bag in his car with the others, Mai waited for him to unlock the doors. Naru finally made his way down the steps before he began assigning people.
"Takigawa, you will take Matsuzaki-san, Brown-san, and Hara-san with you. Mai, you're with Lin and I in the van," Naru ordered while looking through the papers in his hand.
Masako glared at Mai who raised an eyebrow in return. If she wanted the seat she could have the goddamn seat.
Mai's eyelids drooped over her eyes in annoyance, "But I want to go in the fun car", she snarked at Naru, a small smirk titling her lips before raising an eyebrow at Masako, "want to swap?" she asked.
Masako raised an eyebrow before nodding sagely and sweeping her kimono across the ground towards to van, promptly sliding into the middle seat of the van.
Mai grinned before turning towards the car, getting a high-five from Bou-san, before slipping to the middle seat when Yasu made way for her by sweeping a hand towards the seat, John already sitting by the other door.
Once Mai found her seat and made herself comfortable, she looked out the windshield, catching Naru's glare from where he was standing stoic at the front of the car. 'Heh', Mai waved sarcastically from her seat sandwiched between the two men, making Naru's eyes narrow further.
'Have fun with Masako' she purred in her head.
Finally, when all the bags were loaded into the car, the equipment already being loaded to the van beforehand, the caravan of cars made their way to the airport.
Guys, you've made me so happy with your reviews and support. I had the biggest smile on my face when I read them when I woke up this morning.
Every review makes a difference and makes me post new chapters faster, so definitely keep 'em coming!