AN: I would like to thank Treelow955 for proof reading my chapter! You're the best.

Chapter 8

Regular POV –

Back at base Lin and Naru were going over the research that they had so far. Mai was currently asleep since it was getting close to midnight. Gene was trying to figure out what was causing the interference between himself and the ghost. Currently the other irregulars of SPR were sleeping, researching or hospitalized.

Naru had made Mai sleep in the base since Ayako was currently staying with Masako at the hospital. John and Monk had arrived back around dinnertime and helped set up the cameras. After they completed that task, they were left to do as they please as long as there were always two people together at a time.

Sighing, Naru looked over at the sleeping Mai on the couch. He decided that since she was snuggled up in a ball trying to keep warm he would join her on the couch once he found a proper blanket. There was only one problem (well technically two problems), Lin and Gene were still in the room and even though they currently seemed occupied, he knew that if he decided to sit with Mai on the couch there would be questioning looks and telepathic comments that at this moment he did not feel up to dealing with it.

Figuring out a solution to his problem he cleared his throat, getting their attention."I will be taking the first shift in base you two are free to go to bed. Monk will be taking the second shift and Lin you can take the morning shift."

Lin nodded and said "Madoka will be back in the morning with the material you have requested. She said that Yasu said he found some of the background information on Tamaki that you requested but apparently he is having a little bit more difficulty finding anything about the manager Mr. Tanaka."

Naru grasped his chin and went into thinking mode. "Hmm, perhaps I will have Madoka help him tomorrow by sending her to the local clerk's office in order to check on previous names or aliases he may have used."

Lin replied "Sounds like a good idea. Madoka would probably have more luck since her cousin happens to be an aide at the clerk's office. She can get more information by calling in a family favor."

Naru grunted and turned his attention to his brother. "Gene you're free to go to bed as well, especially since we are going to hold a séance tomorrow and you will need all your strength."

Gene grinned. "Awe, baby bro are you worried about me, I feel so special. Or are you wanting me gone for another reason, hmmm…?"

Naru rolled his eyes. "Do what you want Gene, you're the idiot that has a big day ahead of them tomorrow."

Chuckling Gene replies, "Whatever you say Noll."

At this point Gene decides that he would rather sleep than poke at his brother and follows Lin out to the guy's room.

Naru, alone at last in base, set about his original intention of finding a blanket and making sure Mai is comfortable before continuing with his research on murders that have occurred in the movie theater.

Naru proceeded to rearrange Mai on the couch so that they both could occupy the couch comfortably. Halfway through his little quest Mai decided that it would be a good idea to moan out Naru's name and whimper a little. Naru was trying to decide if he should wake her and ask her about her dream or if it was just caused by him moving her around and her powers were informing her subconsciously that he was the one moving her.

Naru's POV –

Looking at Mai after adjusting her so that her head is laying in my lap, I decided that I needed to call my father and see if he could run some tests on Mai to see what the full extent of her abilities are and what the best course would be to help her control her powers.

Mai moved to where she was snuggling into me a clutching at my shirt. Well there goes my concentration for the night. Trying to refocus my thoughts on the murders on the page; they had all been decapitated females ages 15-19 with slight petite frames. This makes me wonder why the ghost is targeting them since according to Mai the ghost she had a run in with tried to warn her and help her get out of harm's way after she showed her what happened to her at the time of her death, so the only question I have now is why the other girls after Hanako were murdered, what purpose did they serve? Mai said that Hanako was trying to tell Mai to get out before the "Beast Man" found her so does that mean the other victims were killed by him or did they die by accident when Hanako was trying to show them what happened to her?

There are a total of six murders all happening in the old projector room, every person ultimately dies from their heads being chopped off by the reel cutter. Two of the girls didn't even work in the theater they were here to watch a movie and never came back to their seats after they left to use the bathroom.

This makes me wonder if it actually started out with Hanako trying to show them what happened because these two victims were dead before their heads were removed and their bodies were found two days after they disappeared in the seats they were originally seated in while watching the movie.

Their heads were placed in their lap and their eyes and mouths were glued open like they were terrified of what they were witnessing.

The other victims, including Hanako, were employees at the movie theater at the time of their deaths and were found in the old projector room their heads sitting on the reel table and their bodies sitting upright in the work chair.

My gut, as Mai would say, is telling me that Hanako is not responsible for all the other deaths in this building. I need more information. I will just have to wait for Madoka and Yasu to bring me the information tomorrow.

Yawning, I decided to rest whilst sitting here with Mai.

Mai's Dreamscape –

Looking around I realize I'min the spiritual realm with the floating orbs all around me.

I see someone walking toward me. I think at first that it is Gene but as the person gets closer I recognize Hanako when she gets close enough.

Apprehensively I decidedto get her to talk to me."Hello Hanako."

Holding her head to the side she looks pensive beforesaying "Be careful, he has set his sights on you next."

I'm confused."Who has their sights set on me? The beast man?"

Making a gurgling noise, "No, he is controlled by…"

As she is trying to reply to my question the spiritual plane starts to shake violently and weird roar is heard then she is gone. I am no longer in the spirit realm instead I feel myself drifting in to a dreamless sleep as something warm cradles me in a tender embrace.

-Following Morning –

Lin's POV –

The monk forgot to get up last night and I bet that Oliver, being the workaholic he is, stayed up last night and didn't even bother with waking the monk up.

Walking in base I don't immediately see Noll. After scanning the room I see that he and Mai are cuddled up on the couch sound asleep.

Grinning and deciding that this is a photo op that I cannot miss I take several pictures forwarding them to Madoka and Luella (Naru's Mother). They will be so pleased.

I decide, for my own sanity, I should walk back out of base and pretend that I never saw these two on the couch. I can't wait to hear Mai when she wakes up and sees them in this position.

AN: Ok I can't write anymore I'm falling asleep : / it's 4 am and I do need some sleep at some point. : ) I had to add some fluff though to offset all the gruesome facts about the case. I am hoping to have this case wrapped up in the next 4 chapters. I am ready to move on and start on Mai's training and explore Masako and Gene's relationship further I am thinking I am going to send them somewhere together maybe to scope out the next case. We will see.