"She looks fine to me," Naru shot Mai down when she brought up her suspicions.
"You didn't see her last night," Mai fired back. Naru just stared at the sleeping priestess indifferently. He knew he should trust Mai, but he hated to admit that she could be right. He hated admitting that he wasn't on top of things for the first time in a long time.
"Naru, I'm heading out. I have some things to check on," Lin said from the doorway.
"Alright. Mai and I can keep a handle on things here." Lin nodded at Naru's words, cast one last furtive glance at the redhead currently splayed out on the bed at base, and left. Mai frowned up at Naru.
"You really think we drove out the spirit?" Mai asked.
"I know we drove out the spirit. I just don't know where it went," Naru admitted. Mai felt a little taken aback. Naru didn't often admit that he didn't know things. She couldn't help but warm with pleasure.
So, he trusted her.
"I have an idea, and you're not going to like it," Mai blurted as he suddenly remembered her encounter with Ayako a few hours ago. She had insisted that Naru, John and Lin carry Ayako up to base after the miko began mumbling some weird words in her sleep, just in case.
"You think Matsuzaki-san has been possessed now."
Mai's eyes widened. "How did you know-"
"John told me she had a run-in with Yanagi-san earlier. It didn't take much to put two and two together."
"Huh. You're a real Sherlock, aren't you?" Naru glanced at Mai quizzically.
"I'm a paranormal researcher, Mai, not a British detective."
"Oh, come on! I can see it, a trench coat and a pipe! Maybe a monocle?" Mai teased. Naru frowned but Mai could tell his heart wasn't in it. His eyes sparkled slightly, making her feel warm inside.
"I'm surprised you know what those things are."
"I'm hurt, Naru. Are you implying I don't read?"
"I'm not sure you even know how to read. In fact, I believe I specifically noted on the sheet this morning to stick to your job, yet who did I find playing hide and seek with a member of this building?" Mai blushed furiously. Okay, so maybe she had gotten a bit sidetracked, but Akio-kun was just too cute!
"Hey, I got the job done though, didn't I?" she defended herself.
"Yes, but I had to supervise the whole time."
"Yeah, yeah, blame Mai for everything. If I remember correctly, I'm the one who started the whole search for Yanagi-san, eh?"
"I'm detecting a hint of pride. Pride is very unbecoming for a lady."
"Says the narcissist of the century."
"I'm not a lady."
"You sure?"
"Would you two stop bickering?" Ayako cut in. Mai felt her face flame and she pointedly looked at her feet while Naru just crossed his arms and glanced away from both ladies. Ayako fought back at smile. Mai had an uncanny ability to bring out the teenager in Naru, it was amusing to see.
"Have a nice nap?" Mai said brightly in an effort to diffuse the situation.
"Hah."
Mai's grin fell at Ayako's sharp response. Boy, what a bad temper.
"My back hurts. My hea-… my back hurts," Ayako complained. She was about to say, my head too, but caught herself in time. Unfortunately, Naru had picked up on it and was watching her intently.
"Shall I get you some tea?" Mai offered.
"No, stay here. I don't want you wandering around," Naru chided. Mai huffed angrily but stayed where she was.
"Where's Monk and Masako?"
"John and Yasu are with them right now. They should be back soon," Mai explained. Ayako shot Naru a nasty glare, but he remained impassive.
"So you let them out?"
"They needed some things from their rooms. I trust the boys."
"Hmph."
Before Ayako could come up with something biting to say to Naru, the quartet in question returned. Monk and Masako looked exhausted, but Mai had to admit, they did look a lot better.
"Hey guys! Ayako, you're awake!" John exclaimed as he ushered Masako and Monk in. The two took a seat on the chairs in the room, with Monk immediately resting his chin in his hands. Mai shot him a warm smile, which he returned.
"Welcome back," Naru greeted them coolly. Yasu and John nodded in response.
"How is it out there?" Ayako asked.
"Alright. No spiritual activity, but the temperature is low," Yasu answered. "And their headaches are gone." Ayako shot Monk and Masako a jealous look. Hers seemed to be getting worse by the minute.
"Good. John, are you up for accompanying Yasu to interview these people?" Naru asked, proffering a clipboard from seemingly out of nowhere.
"Morine-san? Ah, she's the girl from the pool, ne?" Yasu asked as he scanned the sheet.
"Why do you need to talk to her?" Mai spoke up.
"She was the only one who has seen Yanagi-san out of dog form. I feel she may have some answers. I have some theories as of late, I just need confirmation."
"Do I not count?" Mai pouted.
"No," was Naru's blunt reply.
"Look at you, figuring everything out. I don't know why we even bother to come along with you anymore," Ayako joked.
"Neither do I." Ayako's teasing mood vanished at Naru's insult and everyone stifled a laugh.
"Say, where's Lin-san?" Masako said softly.
"He had some work to do. He'll notify us if anything happens, don't worry." It was Mai's turn to bristle. So he can explain things nicely to Masako but not her, eh? To further Mai's anger, Masako thanked him and batted her eyelashes. Unbelievable.
"If you don't mind me asking, what theories have you got about this place?" Monk interrupted.
"Nothing concrete, however I have a feeling there is some strong ties to the original tragedy that happened here."
"Fukui-san's murder? You did mention he may be behind things," John mused. Naru nodded.
"I too believe he is responsible here. I can sense a stronger force at work." Everyone turned to look at Masako. The medium returned their gazes levelly.
"Are you sure you're not just agreeing with Naru?" Yasu teased. Masako blushed slightly and brought a kimono sleeve to her mouth but didn't answer. Mai felt her rage stirring again.
Suddenly they were interrupted by a burst of static from the mics before Lin's voice came through.
"Naru, my shiki are sensing something."
"Where?" Naru was right to the point.
"The pool room. I'm heading there now."
"Alright, I'm on my way. Yasu, John, come with me. Everyone else, stay here," Naru said before grabbing his book and heading for the door.
"Hey, Naru, I think you're forgetting something," Monk said, jumping into Naru's way. The boy tilted his head and stared pointedly at Monk. It was obvious he wasn't letting them come along.
"Naru, are you crazy? There's clearly something down there, wouldn't bringing Monk along be smart?" Yasu reasoned.
"You were recently possessed, and may still be weakened. There's no guarantee the spirit won't jump back into you first chance it gets. Same for you, Hara-san. You'll stay."
Monk grumbled at the finality in Naru's voice but complied.
"What about Mai and I?" Ayako spoke up.
"I hate to break it to you, but you might be possessed too Ayako." This time John was the one that spoke. Ayako's lips turned down.
"If I was possessed, wouldn't I be trying to commit suicide or attacking someone right now?" she huffed.
"Not necessarily. You'll stay too," said Naru.
"And you're just going to leave Mai in here with us," Ayako retorted. "Alone with potentially possessed people. Are you crazy?"
Naru paused as if to consider this, but truth is he had been tossing that idea around already. He frowned as he glanced over at Mai, who was watching him warily. It seemed she wasn't too happy about being stuck with them either.
"Will you promise not to throw yourself at danger?" Naru said seriously. Mai's eyes brightened slightly, although she blushed at his insinuation.
"I'm not a child, Naru." He arched an eyebrow, as if to say are you sure? She blushed even redder but promised to stay close. With that, the foursome, consisting of Naru, John, Yasu and Mai swept out of the room.
Monk, Ayako and Masako watched the door close with blank expressions.
When they arrived at the pool, Lin was crouched down, peering into the water.
"Be careful, Lin," Naru warned the man as he strode over. Lin shot Naru a look but Naru stared back, unflinchingly.
"I saw a shadow in the water, but it's disappeared now. My shiki don't sense anything anymore."
"We were too late," John said ruefully. Yasu, however, was relieved. Not confronting a ghost was seen as a good thing in his books.
"Do you suppose this was a set up?" Mai blurted out. She blushed as everyone turned to look. Why had she said that?
"Is that a feeling you have?" Naru asked. Mai shrunk under his intimidating gaze.
"Y-yeah. A bit." Truth was she wasn't feeling anything. That idea just came out of nowhere. Mai supposed she had Gene to thank, perhaps he was pushing her in the right direction.
"Lin? Can you confirm?"
"Perhaps. The spirit certainly beat a hasty retreat when I arrived. Truthfully, I was expecting a confrontation." Naru narrowed his eyes in displeasure. He wasn't sure how he felt about Lin attempting to go head to head with Yanagi-san by himself, but he didn't question the Chinese man.
"So, what now? Are we in danger?" Yasu said shakily.
"No, there is no spirit here. The danger must be somewhere else."
As if in response, a loud scream erupted from somewhere outside. Everyone rushed to the window just in time to see a woman tumble from a second story window.
"Kabayashi-san!" Joh exclaimed in recognition. Mai felt confused. The name was familiar. Oh, yeah, the apartment building owner! Oh no!
"Lin, in the window," Naru said harshly, his arm extending to point out a form in the window Kabayashi-san just fell out of.
"No," Mai breathed.
Ayako stood there, a wicked grin on her face.
"That's impossible, she can't have! What happened to Monk and Masako?" John said loudly, his voice rising an octave with disbelief and panic. "We exorcised them! Repeatedly, too!"
Naru and Lin were already rushing out of the room, but John, Mai and Yasu stood frozen. As if sensing their stares, at the same time Ayako turned to meet their terrified gazes. Mai felt a chill run through her at her evil smile, and Yasu gasped before turning away.
"She's definitely possessed," Mai whispered.
"How?" Yasu couldn't help but say.
John shot the boy a worried look.
"I know." Mai's quiet voice caught their attention. The trio was still staring at her, and Mai couldn't look away.
"What? Say it Mai," John prompted.
"Ayako had a headache earlier."
"So?" Yasu demanded.
"Naru was right, she was definitely possessed."
The remaining members of SPR stood in the head office. Upstairs at base Lin had temporarily paralyzed Ayako and had his shiki keeping watch. Mai knew things looked bad.
"Is she alright?" Mai asked as Kabayashi-san's boss strode in. He looked grim, and Mai couldn't help but cast her gaze downward in shame.
"Kabayashi-san is in the hospital. Her injuries aren't life threatening, but she had broken bones and doctors suspect she may have a concussion judging by the way she's fallen."
"We sincerely apologize, and we'll cover any and all expenses for her recovery," Naru said stiffly. Mai could tell he was blaming himself for the accident.
"Of course you will. As well, I think you should leave," Kabayashi-san's boss said roughly. Mai and Yasu gasped, while Naru just narrowed his eyes. "Things have gotten worse ever since you've arrived, from what I've heard. I don't believe in this paranormal garbage, but it doesn't take an idiot to know that you guys are plain old bad luck. I think you should leave this place and never come back."
"Sir, with all due respect, we don't like to leave until we're sure the threat is gone," Mai said softly. Naru sent her a warning look, and to her surprise, stepped closer to her.
"I'm afraid she's right, sir." Mai's eyes widened at Naru's agreement. However, the gentleman in front of them didn't look impressed.
"I don't care if this case isn't solved yet or not, you've been fired. If you know what's best for you, you'd be packing up right now." Even Lin was on edge at his rude behavior. The Chinese man was tempted to simply leave the room, but he knew Naru wanted him to stay.
"I'm afraid if we left, the activity wouldn't stop," Naru said wryly.
"What are you talking about?"
"I'm sure you recall that this isn't the first incident to happen to Kabayashi-san," Naru reminded him. Kabayashi-san's boss paled.
"What does that have to do with anything?" he spluttered.
"In the past she has been stabbed, strangled, nearly drowned and pushed down stairs. Evidently someone, or something, is at work here. That is what we are trying to figure out." Naru's voice was steady but Mai sensed an accusatory undertone. Kabayashi-san's boss was reddening, and a sheen was breaking out on his forehead. Mai guessed he wasn't used to being stood up to, much less by a teenager.
"I know all that. What are you implying, young man?"
"I recently found some evidence that may suggest that foul play is involved."
"Naru, no offense, but that's pretty obvious," Yasu spoke up.
"Of course. One might think that the intent is murder, am I correct?" Mai and John exchanged looks. Where was Naru going with all of this?
"Right." Kabayashi-san's boss was reluctant, but he was listening.
"I believe there is a curse here that is made to run any building owners out of business in any way possible."
Mai gasped. It all made sense. No wonder Yanagi-san couldn't be exorcised, he wasn't an individual spirit! He was being controlled, and the only way to release him was to destroy the curse. She couldn't believe it took her so long to figure out.
"A curse? That's preposterous."
"It would explain the ongoing accidents. No spirit is capable of that much activity in so little time." Lin was the one that spoke. Kabayashi-san's boss seemed to consider this, although his face was still red.
"I suppose you're asking for more time so you can find this curse then," he finally relented. Naru's lip twitched upwards.
"That's precisely it. We're closer than ever to cracking this. A couple more days would suffice." The man sighed and rocked backwards.
"Alright. I'll have to talk to Kabayashi-san first, but alright. You may stay. Mark my words, though, if anything else happens I will personally escort you out."
"Thank you sir! You won't regret this!" Kabayashi-san's boss softened at Mai's eagerness.
"I'd better not," he said gruffly as he ushered them out.
Mai had to admit, the top floor was creepy. Evening was drawing rapidly on day four, and Naru was doing a final sweep of the building to find what kind of curse was placed. He wanted to set about destroying it as soon as possible, which was why Mai was on her own.
She jumped as a noise sounded from behind her, but when she turned to look, it was merely the tree outside tapping on the glass. She let out a small, hysterical giggle. She was really on edge. She had a bad feeling about this place, but Naru would never forgive her if she ran away like a scared little girl.
"Mai, hello," a feminine voice called out from the darkened part of the hallway. Mai gulped. How cliché, why did all ghosts or scary things have to hide in darkness? She braced herself for something to leap out of the shadows, but instead all that came out was Morine-san.
"Oh, hello! You scared me," Mai said, relieved. Morine-san simply tilted her head and smiled strangely, walking even closer. "How's it going?"
"Good, I'm almost done packing! I heard that you have figured out what's going on here?" Her voice seemed kind of wooden. Mai felt a little taken aback, but didn't question it. Maybe that was how Morine-san was all the time? She didn't know her personally, she couldn't say anything. Still, though, it was weird.
"Uh, yeah, at least we think so. Don't worry, though, we're getting things under control." Akine didn't seem relieved by this news. Instead she got uncomfortably close to Mai and gripped the girls arm tightly. Mai winced.
"So you're trying to kill us." Mai's eyes widened at Morine-san's bleak voice. Too late she realized the unusual blankness in the woman's eyes. In response, the grip on her arm tightened painfully, and Mai felt nails digging into her skin.
"What? No, not at all," Mai tried to mollify the girl shakily. Her attempts to extricate her arm from the girls grasp didn't work, if anything it only grew impossibly tighter. It was definitely hurting now, and she was starting to panic.
"You are, though. You're going to kill us all. I can't let that happen." Mai squeaked as Morine-san wrenched her arm, but Mai tried to be strong. This was so embarrassing, she's finally sent out on her own again and already she was under attack. It's okay, Mai, she's not that much bigger than you. You can take care of yourself!
"No, you're not listening. We're not trying to kill you, promise," Mai said through gritted teeth as Morine-san wrenched her arm again. She was trying to drag her somewhere, Mai was sure of that. She planted her feet and refused to move.
"Lies. It's all lies. I won't die. I refuse. Even if I have to kill you first."
Mai's mouth fell open at the woman's cold words. Seriously? She was actually trying to kill her? Okay, so Morine-san was definitely possessed. Yet, so were Monk, Masako and Ayako. Holy hell, how many spirits were there?
"No, please, you're possessed. You have to wake up!" Mai pleaded. It was useless, and she felt herself stumble forwards as Morine-san yanked on her arm again. "Hey, where are you taking me? Stop, that hurts!"
"Mai," Naru's cold voice caused Morine-san to freeze. Mai shuddered at the hateful look Morine-san sent to Naru.
"Naru, what are you doing? She's possessed, don't get too close," Mai warned him. Naru ignored her and strode confidently over to the girls. In response, Morine-san shrieked painfully loud and pulled Mai in close to her, holding the girl prisoner.
"Let her go. You know this is a losing battle," Naru warned Morine-san. Mai wasn't sure if he was telling the spirit to let Mai go, or let Morine-san go.
"She's trying to kill us. She has to die." Mai paled, and she noticed Naru glance at her, his expression unreadable. Oh my God, this is so embarrassing. It seemed like she was always getting rescued.
"That's enough." Naru's voice made Morine-san step back, and Mai took the opportunity to try and wiggle out of her grasp. To her surprise, Morine-san pushed her away roughly, and Mai found herself falling. She heard a thump from behind her the same time Mai hit the ground, and Mai turned to see Morine-san splayed out behind her.
"Are you alright?" Naru's voice was painfully soft, and Mai found herself blushing as he crouched down in front of her.
"Yeah, I'm okay." She scrambled to her feet, with Naru rising gracefully alongside her.
"Your arm is bruised." She started before glancing down. There was an angry handprint on her arm, and she noticed little crescents from where the woman's nails broke the skin.
"Oh, yeah. She did grab me kinda hard."
"Why didn't you call for help?" Naru's tone was accusatory and Mai flushed.
"I didn't know-"
"You're too weak to fend off a spirit just yet Mai. Wasn't it you who blacked out after accidentally channeling your energy?"
Mai fidgeted under his stern gaze. "I thought I could fight her off. I didn't even know she was possessed until she started saying all that stuff."
"Mai, that is incredibly reckless. As far as you've come, you're still the weakest one on the team in general." Mai grew hot at his words.
"Alright, fine. I messed up. Whatever. You never let me do anything anyways because I always get in trouble, why are you even surprised?" Naru softened slightly at her angry tone.
"Let's just get back to base. Yasu found it anyhow."
"Found… he found the curse?"
"Yes. That would explain why the spirit left Morine-san so rapidly." Mai had completely forgotten about the woman, but when she looked back, the woman was just waking up.
"Where am I?"