Heeeeeeeeeeeeeyyy, wassup? I am super sorry but all I can say is A LEVELS MAN, OH MY GOD WHY ARE THEY SO DIFFICULT AND STUPID!? WHY WOULD THEY PUT THREE COURSEWORK DEADLINES ON THE SAME WEEK DO THEY NOT THINK WE'RE UNDER ENOUGH STRESS!? Anyway really sorry, but studies first! Eugh, I hope you like this chapter, I think it's quite long so hopefully that will make up for it along with a little scene that I hope some of you will enjoy :D Thanks for putting up with me xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

The Hotel, Day 2, Room 213, 09:20

"Oi, Ayako, Mai, get up already! Naru's getting grumpier by the second!" Monk yelled through the girl's bedroom door.

On the other side two lumps, smothered in sheets, stirred followed by synchronized groans. Although they were both by rule, not morning persons, the fact that they had stayed up late to finish one of their favourite movies together didn't help. Mai let out a particularly loud groan before unceremoniously allowing herself to roll out of bed onto the floor, she then crawled over to Ayako's bed and half flopped onto it.

"Ayako, get up. You take aaaaaages in the bathroom so get moving." In response to Mai, Ayako turned over.

"Ayako."

Nothing.

"Ayako!"

"Whaaaaaat?"

"If you don't get up I'll pour this water on your head."

"Know you won't."

"Yeah, I will."

"Uh huh, sure."

Mai scowled. Taking the glass of water off the bedside table, Mai dipped her fingertips into the water and flicked the droplets onto Ayako's face and neck. Immediately, Ayako screeched and shot into the bathroom.

"You horrible child! Here I am lending you my pyjamas and this is how you repay me?!"

"Yeah yeah." Mai mumbled sleepily as Ayako ranted. Climbing back into bed she smiled with the satisfaction of knowing that she had at least another 30 minutes in bed.

Conference Room B, 10:02

Naru's gaze bored into the computer screens before him. He was irritated, Mai still wasn't up and there was no evidence of any paranormal activity anywhere on the floor. Naru knew these results weren't surprising but when he was in a bad mood, even the slightest thing would set him off. Although he wouldn't freely admit it, he was missing Mai's tea, and now that she was so close and able to make him one, the fact that he hadn't had any yet was becoming unbearable. He drummed his long fingers on the table top, his head snapping up when Mai along with Monk and Ayako finally walked in.

"Good Morning." Naru said civilly, biting back on his usually sharp remarks.

Raising their eyebrows slightly, the trio returned the greeting.

"So what are that plans for today then Naru?" Monk enquired.

Naru slid his slim black sketchbook off the table and flipped it open.

"I would like Ms Matsuzaki to do a walk-through of this floor to see if she can sense anything but we didn't pick anything unusual up last night so I don't expect you to sense much activity. Mai, Monk I would like your help in interviewing the members of staff who have agreed to speak to us, they should be here shortly. Lin, I would like you to do some background research on the Himura family and find out what happened as well as any other suspicious deaths or events that may have resulted in this haunting. After all of you have finished your tasks I would like you to report back to me."

A knock on the door interrupted the group and a maid stuck her head round the door.

"I do apologise for interrupting but are you Shibuya Psychic Research?"

"Yes we are, I take it you're one of the members of staff who agreed to be interviewed?"

"Yes Sir, there's a small group of us."

"Very well, please come in, we'll begin now."

At each end of the long wooden business table sat two interviewers and an interviewee. Mai and Monk sat across from one of the maids whilst at the other end Naru and Lin sat across from a bell boy. Both Lin and Mai were armed with laptops. Monk smiled warmly at the staff who had agreed to be interviewed, coaxing information out of them as he charmed his way through. Naru meanwhile maintained his cold, professional front, ignoring the shy blushes from the maids and the standoffish stares of the older staff. Once the interviews had been concluded, the group reassembled to share their findings.

"Well, the activity is exclusively resigned to this floor. The most common occurrences are footsteps running down the hall, giggling, objects being moved, knocking sounds and the occasional sighting of a little boy. However the staff have also noted that this haunting doesn't feel malicious in any way-"

"Yeah in fact some of the maids we interviewed are particularly fond of the little boy, they're concerned about what will happen to him." Monk interrupted, catching a sight of Naru's glare he smiled apologetically and shuffled closer to Mai.

"But there were also mentions of another spirit in room 221-

"You think it's a different spirit?" Questioned Naru as he raised an eyebrow. Mai glared at him before continuing.

"Yes, I mean, when talking about room 221 the staff mentioned feelings of unease and sadness, they also claim to have seen a young woman wandering about the room and when making the bed, no matter how many times they straighten the covers, there is always an indentation in them, as if someone's been lying on them."

Naru looked thoughtful as he processed the information.

"Lin, what equipment have we set up in room 221?" Monk asked.

"Just a regular camera and some audio feed."

"Hmm. Based on these findings we should probably set up some extra cameras, maybe a thermal imaging one focused on the bed?"

"Good idea," Naru said as he snapped out of his thoughts, "Monk, Lin, set up those extra cameras, make sure the whole room is covered and add another microphone, I don't want to miss anything."

The two men nodded and grabbed the necessary equipment before exiting the room.

"Mai."

"Yes?!" She jumped nervously.

"Have you had any dreams lately?"

"I, er . . . wait yeah. I have." Mai brought her gaze up to look Naru dead in the eye. They both inwardly flinched as their eyes connected, their hearts spluttering slightly as it picked up its rhythm.

"Okay would you mind sharing what happened then?" Naru asked, clearing his throat slightly. He sat back down at the table, flicking open his notebook to a fresh page. Mai hesitated before sitting down next to him, they hadn't been left on their own for a while and last it happened she had yelled at him. C'mon Mai just get a grip and focus, she inhaled deeply before explaining her dream to Naru.

"There was a little boy running down a corridor, he was running away from someone, a man, and he was scared. Then he finally came across a door, leading to the stairs I think, and then the man caught him. That's when it ended."

Mai watched Naru silently as he wrote down her dream's details in his notebook, she absently massaged her temple, becoming aware that the beginnings of a headache were forming. She'd had quite a lot lately but that was probably due stress or not drinking enough or blood sugar levels? She shook her head slightly dispelling the unsettlingly thoughts, she was fine, just tired after recovering from a cold.

"Were you the little boy in the dream or were you observing?"

"Huh? Oh, observing."

"And you didn't dream anything last night? Anything at all?"

"I already told you no."

They glowered silently at each other.

Naru fixed Mai in his gaze as she stared absently into the distance. She didn't seem as feisty as she normally did, her positive energy wasn't as bubbly as it used to be. He noticed how she massaged her temple and forehead occasionally, a side effect of yesterday? Or was she just tired?

"Um Mai?"

She looked up at him with big eyes.

"Are you feeling okay?"

Mai looked at him curiously.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Why d'ya ask?"

"No reason, you've just been quiet and less annoying than usual so I thought something must be wrong."

Mai's face flashed red with anger and she stood up abruptly causing the glass of water on the table to rock.

"Naru! You know that's really rude! You can't just say that to people-

"Why not?" He questioned, standing up too.

"B-Because it is rude and makes me want to hit you!"

"Go ahead, you won't do any damage with those spindly arms."

Mai's temper rose and she let out a kind of growl that caused Naru to smirk, raising Mai's temper even more. Her eyes flickered to the glass on the table.

"You are just so . . . so . . ."

"So what Mai?"

Mai stared crossly at Naru as he stood smug and tall over her. Suddenly without thinking she grabbed the glass of water that was on the table and chucked the contents in his face but Naru grabbed her wrist and pulled her close to him whilst sidestepping so as to avoid the drenching. The water hit the chair behind him, soaking the seat.

After the immediate drama was over, Naru and Mai found themselves pressed together, both breathing heavily from their frayed tempers. They stared at each other intensely, Naru's hand still gripping Mai's wrist. He tried to slow his breathing and ever so gently, he softened his grip, trailing his fingertips along her skin and up the inside of her arm, then up the side of her neck before brushing them slowly through her hair. Mai stood rooted to the spot, not really sure what to do. Oh god what do I do?! Should I do something back or brush him off? But it feels really nice . . . -no shut up Mai! You shouldn't be enjoying this! You are still definitely mad at him! As Mai gazed back into Naru's intensely indigo eyes she decided 'what the hell' and was about to reach up and touch his face when out of her peripheral vision she could see Lina and Monk re-enter the room. She leapt back and found herself suddenly very interested in the woodwork of the table. Similarly Naru cleared his throat and pretended to study his notebook.

Mai glanced at her watch and was surprised to see it was lunchtime, her stomach growled reinforcing the fact and causing everyone in the group to stare at her.

"Well according to Mai it's lunchtime so let's take a break for now." Naru smirked as he glanced at Mai's abdomen before flicking his eyes up to meet hers. Mai scowled, blushing slightly and bit her lip.

"Um, actually, would you mind if I popped home for a bit? It's just I need to pick up some stuff if I'm going to stay here with you guys?" Mai enquired.

"Do what you want, just be back here in time for work later."

Monk laughed and walked over to the table where Naru was whilst Mai just huffed and rolled her eyes but Naru had already turned away, his attention re focused on the case. Mai flicked her hair as she strolled out the room.

"Whatever. C'mon Monk, let's go."

"Aw can we go in a minute? I'm really hungry and tired, I need a break man." Complained Monk as he dropped down into the chair. Immediately he shot back up.

"UGH WHY IS THIS CHAIR WET?"

Naru and Mai stiffened which did not go unnoticed by Lin.

"Ah you know what I'm gonna go with Ayako okay see ya byeeeeeee!" Mai called as she quickly sped walked out the room.

The Hotel Gardens, 13:32 (Quick Author's note: I'm not sure if I mentioned what season it is in my previous chapters but it's supposed to be early spring so maybe around March/early April. Sorry for any confusion. Actually if I did mention it let me know!)

Mai and Ayako strolled along the paved path that led from the car park through the gardens and up to the hotel. Despite the cloudy grey weather, the garden was beginning to show signs of life as the budding plants shyly opened to display their soft colours within. Amongst the flower beds and winding trees that sheltered the path from the elements, was a clear blue pond, the water lilies still sealed shut against the gloomy weather.

"Oh wow! Hey Ayako come look!"

"What?"

"Over there! Do you see it? That pond. Isn't it gorgeous?"

"Oh yeah, huh, it reminds me – hey where are you going?" Ayako called after Mai as the brunette diverted from the path to the hotel.

"I'm just going to go look, it's totally fine." Mai walked eagerly over towards the pond, she could now see that it was actually rather large as it wound around the trees that stooped sleepily along the edge. A little wooden bridge swept up over the pond and Mai immediately bounded across to go and stand on it.

"Mai, what on earth are you doing?" Ayako said as she looked with a raised eyebrow up at Mai.

"Clearly Ayako I am standing on this bridge."

Ayako groaned inwardly.

"Yes but why?"

Mai shrugged her shoulders as she beamed down at her. Suddenly Ayako's phone started ringing and Mai could tell by the way Ayako started fiddling with her hair that it was monk. She smiled and turned around to gaze down at the water below her. A dark shape disrupted the clarity of the water, as if there was something stuck to the bottom of the pond.

"What is that? It looks like there's a person down there?" Mai quietly mused to herself. She leaned forwards slowly, peering down through the rippled water into the leaf littered floor below. The dark figure stayed still as the water distorted its image and threw it around the surface.

"I can't quite see . . ." Mai squinted, she could almost make out a face maybe? Or was it just the pale sunlight straggling through the clouds? She sighed. Her head felt fuzzy and she was beginning to feel chilled from the weather. Glancing one last time at the mysterious dark shape in the water, she was surprised to see it had vanished. Huh, maybe it was just a fish. She pushed herself up of the wooden railing she was leaning on when she felt it abruptly give way under her weight. Mai shrieked as she fell in to the pond.

"MAI!" Ayako shouted as she ran over. She could see Mai submerged beneath the water but she wasn't surfacing.

"Oh god oh god oh god" Ayako muttered as she began preparing to jump in after her. Suddenly Mai broke through the water, coughing and spluttering.

"Eugh! Eugh! What the hell! This is disgusting and WET! Eugh! I smell like, like . . . I don't even know but I smell so GROSS!" Mai yelled as she ranted, Ayako tried desperately to stifle her laugh but in the end it broke free as Mai crawled out the pond.

"Ya know it isn't funny."

"I know Mai, it's just, and it really is. It is very funny. And you have leaves in your hair."

"It's actually very traumatic," Mai scowled as she pulled the pond debris out of her hair, "I could have died."

"Even for you Mai, I think that would have been a bit of a challenge."

"Ayako I think I need a hug." Mai grinned as she opened her arms to embrace Ayako.

"Do not touch me Mai! Mai! No! No! If you want a hug Naru's only a short distance away!"

"Argh shut up and let me hug you!" Mai shouted as she chased Ayako towards the hotel.

Conference Room B, 13:46

Lin sat silently, staring at the computer screen. Static buzzed through his head phones as his eyes raked across the computer screens for any signs of activity. Occasionally Lin glanced at Naru who was doing his best to pretend he was busy, the notebook from earlier that morning lay open and he was staring at it blankly. The pen in his hand flipped and twirled dramatically round his fingers as he attempted to focus on the information before him. He checked the clock on the wall, a full minute had passed since he last looked. Frustration bubbled near the surface.

Amongst the quietness of the room, a light knocking sound began. Naru immediately straightened up alerting Lin who removed his headphones and waited.

Naru mouthed silently 'recorder' to Lin who nodded once and reached over into the equipment bag next to him and pulled one out. He clicked it on.

The knocking sound began to play in a rhythm.

DA-DAA-DA-DAA-DA-DA-DA-DAA

Naru tried to locate where the sound was coming from but couldn't find the origin. He glanced at Lin and raised his knuckles to rap on the wooden table before him.

DA-DAA-DA-DAA-DA-DA-DA-DAA

A long silence stretched out before a reply sounded.

DA-DAA-DA-DAA-DA-DA-DA-DAA

Naru waited a moment the rapped a different rhythm.

DAA-DA-DA-DA-DAA

Almost immediately it was answered.

DAA-DA-DA-DA-DAA

Naru thought for a moment before tapping his pen twice on the table, and rolled it across the surface. It stopped a few centimetres from the edge.

Suspense hung thick in the air as both men tensed their muscles ready for the pen to be rolled back by the ghost. The seconds ticked by and the air grew cooler. Lin flicked his gaze over to Naru and they exchanged looks. The quietness grew. Ever so slowly, a creeping coldness began to seep into Naru's hand. He looked down to see a small boy grinning up at him. Steeling himself, he took in a quick analysis of the boy's appearance, bruised skin, rumpled clothing, slightly bulging eyes. The boy continued to smile up at Naru and tightened his grip on his hand. Naru remained unflinching, and bore his gaze into the boy's transparent one. The boy faltered slightly and crinkled his forehead. Most people didn't like it when he appeared to them, it was funny to see their reactions, this time it felt more serious. He didn't like that. Retracting his hand, he gave the man in black one last curious look before disappearing.

Immediately the room felt lighter. Naru opened his mouth to ask Lin if he had managed to record the experience on camera when he was cut off by the sudden approaching loudness of Mai and Ayako. Slightly irked, he walked over to the door and stepped out to see Ayako and a very soggy Mai marching down the corridor.

"What on earth happened?"

Mai halted in her tracks.

"She managed to fall into the pond in the gardens." Ayako said. Naru raises his eyebrows as Mai furiously began muttering to herself.

"You know some people might call this karma for earlier actions." He retorted. In reply, Mai yanked her hotel door open and slammed it closed.

In her hotel room, Mai was peeling off her wet clothing before stepping into the steaming shower. She let the water soak through her hair before scrubbing it vigorously as she attempted to get rid of the smell of the pond that clung to her. After her shower she got dressed in her new clothes she'd brought from home; dark skinny jeans and one of her favourite old hoodies from a summer camp she'd once attended. She felt better already. Sifting through her bag, she found a cookie left over from lunch and tucked into it happily. She sighed knowing her happiness would be short-lived as she had to return to base. Stupid Naru. She exited her room and was walking along to the conference room when she noticed the little boy standing in the middle of the corridor. She stopped. The boy smiled his goofy smile. Mai's heart beat picked up should she alert the others at base or would he disappear if she moved? She tried smiling back. The boy giggled and turned around, running down the corridor.

"Hey wait!" Mai called after him. Without thinking she took off after him. The boy's laugh filled the air as he skimmed across the ground. This girl was much more fan than the scary man earlier. A sudden uneasy feeling passed through him as something in his memory began to surface. He'd tried remembering how he had died before but he could never fully grasp them. He slowed slightly as he shook off the feeling.

"Gotcha!" Mai exclaimed triumphantly as she put her hand on his shoulder, momentarily forgetting that he was a ghost. Her hand sunk through his shoulder and threw her weight off balance so that she fell forwards. The little boy jumped back and ran off. He wasn't in the mood for games anymore. He suddenly felt lonely.

"Hey come back here!" Mai called after the little boy, but he had already vanished down the corridor. She sighed, still sprawled out on the floor she made to stand up and head back to base when she noticed she was outside room 221. Instantly her curiosity spiked. She remembered what the staff had said about the room earlier that morning. Nothing bad or malicious had ever happed whilst people had been in there, in fact the ghost had been quite passive. Maybe she should check it out. Standing up she went to try the handle. It opened. Huh, that's weird. Tentatively she entered the room. I was small and clean, laid out similar to hers and Ayako's but as a mirror opposite and with one double bed instead of two singles. To her immediate right was the wardrobe and next to that was the bathroom. Mai walked into the middle of the room and noticed to camera set up in the corner. She gave it a small wave. The room felt pretty normal and nothing seemed out of the ordinary so Mai turned around to leave. She felt her breath catch in her throat as she stared in the pale blank face of the ghost before her.