Theatre Wars

Chapter 8: Which is full of water.

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of Ghost Hunt.

One chapter from the last!

I can feel my cheeks flame as Naru lightly cradles the nape of my neck, his fingers curling into my hair as we kiss, noses bumping clumsily against each other. "Oww," I say, but the rest of my protest is lost when Naru seizes the opportunity to deepen the kiss, and his arm on me tightens possessively. My own hand moves upward on their own accord, brushing the small hairs on the nape of his neck and then down to where the scar rests, red and raw. Naru jolts and frowns at me, breaking the kiss.

"Don't," I murmur against his cheek. "I-Just let me pretend that I can help."

"Idiot," Naru replies. "You've helped enough already."

I smile at that. "Are you sure you're really Naru? After all, there was this other fellow who looked a lot like you who happens to be the most narcissistic…"

"Shut up Mai, you're ruining the moment," he says, before tracing more kisses down my jaw and neck. Time seems to slow only to pick up when we finally pull away, gasping for breath. I run my tongue over my tender lips, having the satisfaction of having Naru's eyes trained on me when I do so. "So…" I say awkwardly. Naru's gaze flickers away, cool now that we're standing apart again.

"I suppose we wait," he answers after awhile, still not looking at me. I touch his hand tentatively and he jerks away, though not before slipping his fingers around mine for second first. I huff softly.

"You're one to complain," he says suddenly.

"What do you mean?"

"Did you know that every time you come near me, my sense of concentration dwindles to zero while my awareness of your presence takes up my entire attention?"

I flush, pleased. "No. I thought you were ignoring me all this while."

"I was. But only because you distract me the way no other person except Gene has been able to."

Ah. I grin up at him then, pacified. "I'll take that as a compliment."

We both lean against the rough wood, side by side, and this time Naru doesn't flinch, or move away when I lean against his arm.

"You do realise that we've technically not kissed?" Naru says.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, kissing is a physical act and neither of us is here, per se. My body is possessed and yours…is probably wherever you left it falling asleep."

I snort. "We've kissed as spirits, Naru. Don't think you can make your excuses once we're out of here."

Naru smiles faintly. "No, I expect you to remind me everyday then," he says, regarding the door expectantly as his hands reach unconsciously to his neck. But before he completes the action, he lets fall his arm and stands up. I can sense it too, the unpleasant aura which has seeped into Naru's memory.

"She's coming. When you see her appear, run through the door."

"What about you?"

"I'm going nowhere. I can't escape my own head," he explains. My face falls.

"So… I'm the only one who's escaping then?"

A faint, blurred figure materialises beyond the door. Although Shizu seems to struggle for awhile, she appears not to be troubled; instead, she seems to find Naru's resistance amusing.

"You've kept me out of this place so far. What gave?"

Naru silently shoves me in her direction. "Hurry up and go." For a moment, Shizu and I are face to face but the momentum of Naru's push sends me tumbling into and then through her barely materialised body and outside into dark empty space. The place where the door is slams shut and disappears on me.

"Stupid Naru!" I yell at the space where it had been and then groan in frustration. Now what?

I watch as she falls out of the door. Even in mid-stumble, I can see her eyes blaze with fury and her mouth open to make an inflammatory accusation. I watch her go diffidently. She'll live – and that, for me, is enough given the circumstances. Now, it is only me and Shizu. Her presence irks me. Even though we're standing on opposite ends of the room, I can feel her aura surrounding me.

"I'm told, Shibuya-san, that a caged animal is at his most dangerous."

Shizu steps fully into the room, wearing a smirk. "How noble of you to let your lover escape first." Her lips curl slightly in a sneer at the word "lover" and I can see hysteria behind the anger in her eyes. "Did you know," she continues when I do not speak, "how much trouble I went into looking for Taniyama-san when she vanished from right under me? And I had to send Haruo away."

"I really wanted to kill her. And after that, I will take you for mine." Her sneer curls upwards. "You'll like that won't you? After all, we're lovers both," she adds in a whisper as she wraps her arms around my neck. "Don't think you can't die here Shibuya. You don't need to be in possession of a body to have your soul drained."

Our gaze meets for a moment and I let her see my indifference to her. Up close, her pupils appear unusually bright, glittering and she lets me go. Leaping back with inhuman grace, she sweeps a hand at me and I feel the wind of it tear my clothes and leave lacerations on my skin.

"Say something!" she screams at me. "I said I will kill her!"

My turn to smirk. I spread my hands out in a gesture of invitation. "A female acquaintance once told me here that I'm extremely stubborn. I invite you to try." With enough time, I hope, for the others to solve this case.

What brings me back finally to my body is snoring. Masako's snoring, to be exact. I sit up, feeling aches all over and shake her. "Wake up," I say. Even half-asleep, Masako manages to yawn delicately and then flutter her eyelids prettily. I scowl. "You were snoring." That statement causes her to wake up all the way. "I do not," she retorts and then standing up rather quickly, she grabs my hand. "Come on. You'll be needed to explain this."

Back downstairs, Bou-san jumps up from where he has been nervously tapping his feet on a bench in the lobby. "What happened? You better have a good excuse for being out for ten hours or Lin is going to roast us three."

"Lin knows?" I answer guiltily.

"You were asleep for the entire night, Mai," Masako points out. "It'll have been a little difficult to account for your missing presence."

"And you totally missed out on this," Bou-san adds grimly as he opens the door. "After you, sleeping beauty."

My complaint falls short when I see what is that has them all so nervous. Haruo is standing on the stage arguing with Natsume, while the other actors and SPR watch on. "Hey," I shout, giving them a wave. Turning, Haruo smiles distractedly at me. Masako's sharp intake of breath can be heard.

"Alright, mister, quit smiling with our boss's face," Bou-san growls. Haruo only chuckles and Lin's glower deepens.

"Mai. He said you'll give me a good reason why we shouldn't exorcise him when you woke up."

"I…didn't think you'll ever wake again, actually," Haruo admits. "What happened to Shizu?"

"Don't sully her name like that. You mean Shizuko," Natsume cuts in with a growl.

"No, I don't," Haruo says, looking baffled. "And stop correcting me. Your posture is terrible and you obviously can't act. I can't let you bring down the name of my fiancée's company."

Ayako nudges me. "If you can get him outside, I can purify him." Lin is looking at us impatiently. "Well?"

"Shizu killed him," I say as soon as Hiro and Anzai are in earshot as well.

"His fiancée killed him?" Ayako repeats.

"No, Shizu is his lover before he got engaged to Shizuko. He says he loves both of them." She snorts. "Men."

I tug at her arm. "Shizu killed him and hid his body somewhere in this building. I-I think she killed Shizuko too."

Natsume isn't going to like this," Hiro said. "No, and I'll have the pleasure of telling him that," Anzai says with disproportionate cheer.

"I don't quite care," Lin hisses. "The first priority is getting him out of Naru's body – Mai?"

I sigh and then raise my voice to speak to Haruo. "Do you mind? I think I know where she's – I mean Shizuko is waiting for you." He looks so hopeful that I feel slightly bad for lying to him. "Really?"

"Hai." His smile widens brilliantly. But I've the memory of Naru's kiss and I nod resolutely. "If you'll follow me?"

He raises a hand. "One moment. I'll come with you, but I'll like some tea first." Lin looks as though he might pop a vein. Haruo's grin widens cheekily. "And you'll make and serve it."

I look at the canopied bed in the dark room, trying to keep cool. Here, again. Shizu is leaning against the doorframe, blocking the way out. The room is rapidly filling with water, a moss grown camp site bench appearing in a corner. Our memories are melding together. If someone doesn't exorcise her soon, I won't last much longer. Shizu clearly knows this and she surveys the room with a gratified leer. "And to think we'll be back here. Don't you have any other memory to hide in?" I concentrate, summoning quickly the maze-like tunnels from my previous case and put myself as far as I remember away from her. This is only a small respite. My neck is aching and even though I've only ran a short flight of steps up – the very ones of the amusement park tower, I'm already wheezing. When I touch the scar, my fingers come away stained with beads of blood. I am definitely on the losing end of this battle.

"You can run into the past Shibuya," Shizu's voice echoes triumphantly from somewhere above me and I swear under my breath. I rarely panic, but this scenario is somewhat different from anything I have ever experience. Her footsteps come closer and I hastily take the stairs back down, two steps at a time. "You can run alright, but I'll bring you back up to date any time…"

"How's the tea?" I ask impatiently. Haruo sips it and then looks up at me. "Very good. But it could have steeped longer."

Biting back an angry retort, I take the cup from him sullenly. "Sorry, Mai-chan. I happen to be very particular about my tea and until I'm satisfied, I won't leave this room." The nerve of this man – ghost…! I stomp over to the sink and pour out the remnants of the cup. "You know, Naru likes my tea fine. You're just picky."

"Am I? Or do you usually make tea with such impatience?"

I flush. "That's not true! I –

Haruo winks. "Exactly. So how about you pretend I'm your lover, I mean boss and you make me a proper one."

I glare at him. "Flirt," I mutter loudly as I storm out to the kitchen. Outside, I nearly run into Ayako. I rub my snubbed nose. "Ouch. Why are you three here?" I growl. At least John has the decency to look slightly guilty.

"Spying," Ayako, not one to mince words, says. Bou-san peers at me in concern. "Are you sure he hasn't hurt you?"

"Bou-san!"

At the kitchen, I bang down the tea things on the table and glare at them when they all troop in after me. "Do you mind?" I make flapping motions with my hand. "Shoo. At this rate, we're never going to exorcise him…" After they've all shuffled away, I go back to where Haruo is waiting. He takes a sip and then closes his eyes. "That, my dear, is almost exactly how Shizu made my English tea."

"I see."

I am in no mood to entertain his provocative remarks.

"It's somewhat like Shizuko's tea too. It's the tea of love."

I snort, making my disapproval shown. He cracks a grin but I remain stony this time. He laces his fingers together, smiling sadly. "Ah, very well then, Miss Taniyama. Where to next?"

There is a bright misty quality to the light when I finally persuade him outside. The wind ruffles Naru's hair as Haruo draws in a deep breath and then relaxes. "I haven't seen the outside of this building in… a long while," he says wistfully. I only nod, not trusting myself to say anything as I lead him towards the trees. Haruo looks at me strangely but doesn't say anything. We walk in silence, the only sound being grass crunching underfoot. We appear to be all alone, but I know the others are watching.

"You know, Miss Taniyama, you don't have to feel bad," Haruo says.

I freeze and he gives me a slight nudge.

"I overheard that red-haired miko just now. You don't know where Shizuko is, do you?" I gape at him. Haruo shrugs carelessly. "It's alright. I won't make any trouble for you. I've lingered here for too long."

"But…"

"No buts, Mai-chan. I've been thinking about what you said, and well, you're right. It's time I stop being selfish and move on." He looks up briefly. "Do you hear bells?"

"No," I say. He glances down at me, understanding and peace written on his face. "That's my curtain call," he says and leaning over, kisses me lightly on the forehead. "I hope you find a way to release poor Shizu too. It was partly my fault you know." I nod. "I'm sorry," I say gently. Then, suddenly, John yells. We both turn. There, standing by the bridge is an indistinct shape. I blink. I guess I haven't been imagining things after all. As it floats over, Haruo beams. "Hello Shizuko-chan." He lifts a hand, pats me once on the head. "Thank you," he mouths. A thin spire of smoke lifts up from Naru to join the shadow beside him. Then, without warning, Naru crumples to the ground, eyes vacant.

The others come running. "Did it work?" Bou-san asks and earns himself a whack. "Of course it did," Ayako snaps. "I felt two presences leave."

Lin looks up from examining Naru. "If so, then how do you explain why he seems to be in a catatonic state?"

Ayako kneels down, a crease appearing in her forehead. "I know what I felt." She turns white suddenly. "I didn't purify Naru, did I?"

"Of course not," Lin answers shortly, the same time Bou-san snorts. "Mai?" Suddenly, everyone is looking at me, including the actors, who have all come out to watch the purification.

"Shizu hasn't been purified yet," I say quietly. "And the last I saw of her was entering Naru's mind."

"Then…" John says, breaking in cautiously, "I guess this means we'll have to find her body."

We both look up at the same time, sensing something passing. I breathe again. She'd done it. Nijima Haruo has moved on.

"No!" Shizu screams and rushing at me, seizes me by my shirt collar. "What have you done?"

I smirk and she slaps me. "You will pay," she growls, a wind picking up around her, her hair whipping up. "He was mine!" she roars.

"Sometimes, we have to let go," I say, remembering a certain busybody brother. She jerk away, wounded. "Never," she intones and gestures dramatically. The wind cuts into me, but it's exhausting keeping her at bay and bit by bit, I am pushed back into the room she's created with her vindictiveness. I back silently up until I reach the bed frame, where there is no more space for me to go to.

"So. It comes back to this." Shizuko follows me into the room, her shape changing along the way, shrinking slightly shorter, her hair lightening to familiar chin-length brown strands. Just how provocative can this spirit get? If I weren't trapped here, I would have erased her existence already. Gene and Mai would disapprove but I've made my stand on this clear. A spirit who consciously targets and claims the living for their own is no longer to be pitied.

"What do you think this accomplishes?" I ask.

"More than you can imagine. There wasn't much of Haruo left. If I'd drained anymore, we'll both be gone."

By now, the water gushing into the room is a loud roar, the room taking on a circular shape. There is something familiar about this place.

"That's right. This is my home. Of course it's familiar. We'll live here. Together."

"Are you sure there isn't anywhere you haven't thought of?" I ask Anzai and Natsume desperately. They both shook their heads. "We're absolutely certain," Anzai answers. "I honestly do not think there is anywhere we haven't already tried."

"You missed out on Haruo's resting place," Masako points out.

"I didn't," Anzai replies, visibly grieved. "It was in a locked and disused closet. We've been to the attic thrice. There isn't another body there."

"Damnit!" Bou-san yells suddenly. "Something's wrong with Naru!"

We all rush over, Ayako reaching first. Naru's body is spasming, but he doesn't wake up. "What's wrong with him?" Hiro asks and Bou-san shakes his head. Suddenly, Naru starts gasping, as if unable to breathe and when Ayako tugs down his collar, we all can see that the scar is bleeding. Natsume and Hiro share a look of despair. If Naru dies, they'd likely be next.

"Is he…being suffocated?"

"No, that's not it," John says grimly when Naru seems to choke on empty air. "She's drowning him."

"But there's no water," Natsume protests. We all ignore him.

"Think Mai!" Lin barks. "Is there anything – anything at all which Haruo said might help?"

I shake my head. The one person who is best at putting all the evidence and clues together was lying on the ground, unconscious and dying.

"We've tried everywhere," Ayako says dispassionately. "Face it guys, Naru's not going to make it."