Yo! Well, now I know that this chapter was originally posted around November 2011, considering I mention in the old AN that this was delayed due to Uncharted 3 and a couple of deaths in the family. Jesus. Thank you to all readers so far!

"…Ahh, I can't believe I passed out again," said Mai. She looked around, taking in her new surroundings. It looked like she was standing in a house. "Huh? Where...have I seen this before? This house looks familiar."

"That's because this was your uncle's house," said Gene approaching.

"Hey Gene… What do you mean?"

"Your uncle, Suzaku-san. Do you remember him?" asked Gene.

Mai thought for a moment. The name did indeed sound familiar, but it took her a few seconds to place it. "Umm… Oh yeah! I remember him! He suddenly died when I was seven! I-I think they said it was suicide?"

"He didn't kill himself," said Gene. "He was murdered. Murdered by the same person who killed your parents and siblings."

Mai paled. "W-what…?" She looked around, and then suddenly understood something. "Are you implying that he-that he's the dark spirit in Hideki-san's house? The one that's been attacking us?"

Gene only nodded.

"What? But why? Why's he-" But before Mai could complete her sentence, or Gene could even start to answer, he began to disappear.

"Gene, wait!"

Mai's eyes shot open. Unsure of where she was, she looked around and after a minute, realized she was in the bed of the room she was sharing with Ayako. It was dark, which obviously meant it was some time at night. Fairly late too, considering Ayako was fast asleep next to her.

How long had she been out for?

Quietly, Mai slipped out of the bed and made her way out of the room. She knew they'd been told not to wander off alone, but she really needed to use the bathroom and there was no way she could wait until morning. Ayako could probably protect herself, right?

Once she was done in the bathroom, Mai went over to the Base, but it was empty. She supposed that wasn't surprising, considering the time. Not bothering to turn the light on, she dropped down on the nearby couch with a soft sigh.

*Flashback*

"Naru?"

Naru sighed, knowing Mai was going to ask another stupid question. "Yes, Mai?"

"How would you know if something happens if you don't watch the monitors?"

Naru looked at her incredulously. "We analyze the evidence later, Mai."

"Oh, right. That makes sense."

"Tea."

"Hai…"

*End Flashback*

Mai smiled slightly. It really hadn't been that long since she had started working at SPR, but she'd really come a long way since then, hadn't she?

But now her smile was replaced with a frown. She couldn't understand how her uncle was the dark spirit. And if it was, why was he hurting her? She remembered that uncle a little, and he'd been really nice. But really, how was it that all three of the spirits in the house were related to her? Her uncle, her older brother, her twin sister-it just didn't make sense.

Lost in her thoughts, Mai didn't hear the door open, and she didn't realize she wasn't alone anymore until she felt someone sit down beside her. She looked over, but couldn't see who it was due to the darkness in the room. But she didn't need to see who it was to know.

"Naru…"

Naru made a sound of acknowledgement, but didn't seem to know what to do. After a moment, he pulled her into him and Mai realized he was trying to offer a hug. She accepted gratefully.

"Neh, Naru?"

"Hm?"

"I know who the dark spirit is."

"You do?" said Naru, surprise in his voice.

"Yeah. Gene told me," said Mai. "His name's Taniyama Suzaku. He's my uncle. Or was my uncle, I guess."

"Your uncle? What happened to him?"

"Gene said he was killed by whoever killed the others in my family. He died when I was seven, but I remember hearing it was suicide. I guess mom didn't want to talk about murder, considering what happened to dad and Ryou-nii."

"I see…" Naru was silent for a time, before he sighed quietly and said, "You should know that we are suspecting Hideki-san as the murderer."

Mai straightened, pulling herself away from Naru, her entire body tense. "Are you telling me that our client killed my family!?"

That's it for now. Looking forward to reviews! Laterz!