Evening was falling fast, concluding the third day of investigation. Naru was currently taking a little stroll around. He couldn't help but feel a little disappointed. He'd had all these clues and puzzle pieces but he had yet to find a way to piece them together. Obviously there was more than one spirit at play here, but what were their motives?
He was so busy thinking that it barely registered that there was a dog at the end of the hall, waiting for him.
"So this is how it is," he said softly, straightening to stare the dog down. "Yanagi-san."
He'd had his doubts seeing as he'd never personally seen what Mai had seen. He couldn't be sure it wasn't really a dog. However it did make sense, and from the man Mai had described in the dogs place compared with old records, it appeared it was indeed Yangi-san.
As if seeing Naru trying to figure him out, Yanagi-san growled menacingly and took a step forward. Naru didn't move, barely even batting an eyelash. Yanagi-san growled again and took another step.
"Are you sure that's a good idea?" The only thing chillier than Naru's voice was the hallway, but not my much. Yanagi-san took another step. He was challenging Naru.
Without warning Yanagi-san let out a ferocious bark and started barreling down the hallway, snarling and snapping. Naru was prepared to duck out of the way but Monk appeared at the last second, warding Yanagi-san off at the last second.
"Damn, he doesn't stick around long enough to be exorcised," Monk complained. Naru just stood there, gazing thoughtfully at the last place he saw Yanagi-san.
"I think we should proceed with our original plan to exorcise him. Tonight, if possible." Monk shot Naru an incredulous look.
"Aren't you the one who told Mai you wouldn't?"
"Things change. Don't fight me on this."
"Naru, Monk!" Yasu shouted excitedly. They both turned to see him pelting down the hall before tripping and falling ungraciously. Monk winced and Naru just sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"What's wrong man?"
"It's Mai, she just passed out again!"
Mai blinked as her surroundings went from hazy to clear. What? How did she get into her room so fast? And why was Kabayashi-san going through her bags?!
Wait a second. Those weren't her bags. So where was she? Or more specifically, when?
She has to go.
What a weird thought to have. Kabayashi-san hadn't done anything bad.
She killed me.
Mai watched as Kabayashi-san sighed and stalked back out of the room. Mai felt her body move to follow her against Mai's will. She has to go.
What was going on?
Kabayashi-san headed up the staircase to the second floor.
Push her down. No! Who was this person? Why did they hate her so much?
Kabayashi-san froze and glanced behind her, staring straight at Mai. She blinked a couple times, confused, but kept going. So she couldn't see Mai… hm.
Now she made her way into the first apartment on the right.
Push her off the balcony.
Stop it! She's guilty. Guilty, guilty, guilty. Mai felt herself growing angry. Whoever this person was, they seriously hated her.
She took everything. This is her fault.
Mai had images of a man lying on the ground, dead flash through her mind. Who? Did Kabayashi-san murder him?!
No, that's ridiculous Mai. So… maybe it was something else.
"Mai."
Gene's voice snapped her out of her reverie. Mai found herself on the astral plane.
"Gene, what is it?" He looked solemn, if a bit sad.
"You have to be extra careful, please."
"You say that every time," she teased him.
"I mean it this time." She sobered up.
"What's wrong?"
"Takigawa and Hara-san are in danger, Mai. Wake up."
Mai gasped as she bolted awake, nearly knocking into Naru.
"N-Naru?" Mai stammered as he regarded her curiously. He was sitting at her side on the couch, but how long had he been there? More importantly, why was he there? Mai blushed furiously as she straightened, trying to keep her last shreds of dignity.
"You looked angry," he commented impassively.
"Angry?"
"Yes." Mai couldn't resist making eye contact, his gaze made her shiver slightly. Finally, with a sigh he leaned forward slightly and tapped her forehead before standing up. Mai watched him with wide eyes.
"What's going on? Where's everyone else?" Mai stammered awkwardly in an attempt to fill the silence. What the heck was Naru up to with that little gesture?
"Exorcisms, of course."
"Wha- hey wait a second. You promised that you wouldn't exorcise Yanagi-san," Mai screeched when she realized what he meant. Naru shrugged disinterestedly, making Mai scowl. She moved to stand up and tell him off when she heard something crinkle in her pocket. Confused, she halted and reached into her pocket, only to feel a slip of paper.
"What's this?" Mai wondered aloud as she unfolded the now wrinkled paper. Her face paled and Naru rushed over, making a small noise when he saw it.
Kabayashi-san must die.
Monk was in the middle of exorcising the top floor when he felt the world spin around him. He collapsed to the ground, his head ringing painfully. No matter how much he clutched at his head the pain didn't seem to go away.
Only one floor below Masako was experiencing the same thing. Everyone around them began panicking when they weren't answering, only grunting – and in Masako's case, crying – and grabbing at their hair and head. Lin and Yasu dragged Monk down to Masako and they were trying to help when footsteps sounded down the carpeted halls. Mai bit her lip worriedly. This was clearly the danger Gene had warned her about.
"Naru, what's going on," Ayako asked the teens frantically when they showed up.
Mai paled slightly. "I-I don't know what-"
"Do you sense anything," John interrupted, explaining for Naru.
Mai concentrated. She wasn't sure what she was looking for, but she got her answer soon enough. When she looked at Monk there seemed to be a dark film over him. At first she wasn't sure if she'd seen it, it was so faint, but the more she looked… "I'm not sure, but I think I see something."
"That's all we need, let's go." Naru led the whole crew to an empty room he had found earlier in the investigation, with Lin and Yasu supporting Monk and Ayako and John supporting Masako. The two kept crying out, making Mai flinch each time.
"John, Lin, are you ready?" Naru asked once he was sure Monk and Masako were secure. Mai clutched onto Ayako as she watched them, and Yasu had to leave the room. What on earth could be causing them so much pain?
John and Lin each began their respective exorcisms, John doing his prayers and Lin manipulating his shiki to drive the spirit out. Monk and Masako thrashed around for a few moments more before collapsing to the ground, conscious but exhausted.
"Are they alright now?" Ayako breathed. John frowned and pursed his lips.
"I'd like to think so, but something isn't quite right here. Kazuya, I think you should keep them close from now on," John admitted. Naru merely arched an eyebrow, considering this.
"Naru, you can't do that. I need to get out there and destroy this bastard," Monk protested, his voice rough and strained.
"I don't think that's a bad idea, father Brown."
"Naru!" Monk said angrily.
Naru didn't answer, instead turning on his heel and walking out, Lin following close behind. John, Ayako and Mai all exchanged worried looks.
Mai only hoped they could figure out what the spirit wanted and appease it somehow, and fast.
Ayako and John were given the task of finishing the exorcism on the top floor. Naru had decided that because the spirit was particularly stubborn and obviously had strong ties to here, that they should do it themselves. Right now John was at the other end of the building on the top floor, and it seemed that things were going well.
Ayako, however? Not so great. She could feel this restless energy all around her, and it simply wasn't going away. She tried to increase her prayers, her sincerity and focused her energy on removing the spirit.
She was just finishing up when she heard an all too familiar noise. Turning around slowly she came face to face with red eyes. Letting out a scream she jumped up and ran towards the stairs. It was her turn now, she supposed. Suddenly she felt a weird whooshing of wind from behind her. Turning around she saw the dog leap at her, and she steeled herself for the end.
To her surprise, it simply went through her, leaving her feeling cold and shaky.
She felt her blood run cold as an odd pounding rose up in her head.
No way.
This must be the headache that Monk and Masako were complaining about, she thought to herself bitterly. I can't let Naru know. He'll just ridicule me for messing this up!
"Ayako, are you alright? I heard you scream?" John asked as he caught up with her. Ayako met his gaze, trying to hide her terror.
"Yeah! Just saw the dog and got a little spooked."
Even though she said them, Ayako felt those weren't her words.
That night as Mai and Ayako were retiring to bed, Mai noticed something.
"Ayako, have you seen my new green shirt? The one I bought with you last weekend?" Mai asked as she rummaged around in her bags.
"Of course not, why would I wear your stupid clothes." Ayako's harsh tone made Mai look. Mai frowned as she saw the bags under the miko's eyes. Not to mention the messy hair. … Like she'd been tugging at it.
"I-I never said you'd taken it. I was just asking if you'd seen it," Mai said. Ayako shot the girl a look and Mai's frown deepened. Something was wrong. "Are you alright?"
"Yeah." Ayako's voice softened. "I'm just a little upset that Monk isn't around. I could've used him earlier."
"You're just upset Monk isn't around, period, aren't you?" Mai couldn't help but tease. To her surprise Ayako jumped up angrily.
"Are you saying I can't do things myself?"
"Wha? No, of course not! Ayako calm down, you're really wound up."
Mai's worried tone shook some sense into Ayako. Monk and Masako weren't kidding, this headache was driving her crazy.
"I'm sorry, Mai. I'm just tired, I guess. This guy isn't giving us a break," Ayako said. She sent Mai a reassuring smile, but it looked weak and timid to Mai.
"Hey, it's alright. Get some sleep. I think the boys can take care of us for the time being." Ayako's smile wavered at Mai's kind words, but her eyes stayed kind.
"That's not a bad idea. You get some sleep too, I bet your shirt will be back in the morning."
Mai sighed as Ayako slid into bed, falling asleep in seconds. Mai watched her for a moment before getting into bed herself. Unlike the priestess, Mai didn't fall asleep right away. She kept thinking.
Somehow, something felt very wrong with Ayako.