Chapter 16

Aki's P.O.V

I groaned as I opened my eyes. Everything hurts... "Aki, are you awake?" I heard Mai's voice ask. I looked around and found her sitting next to me.

"Y-Yeah, how are Lin and Naru?"

"Lin took the brunt of the accident but the doctor said he'll be healed up in three weeks. He ended up with a few broken ribs, a concussion, and one broken leg. Naru also has a few broken ribs, a minor concussion, and a lot of scrapes and bruises. You have similar injuries to Naru." Monk explained. I sighed.

"I don't think I want to be in another car for awhile."

"Naru told us what you told him and Lin." Ayako said sympathetically.

"Yes, you were very brave yesterday." Masako added smiling.

"Yesterday?"

"You've been out since yesterday. Naru woke a few hours ago and Lin is still out." Monk said again.

"Where's John and Yasu?"

"They're talking to Naru. You need to rest, Aki." Mai said gingerly rubbing my left arm. I nodded.

"Sorry,"

"Don't be,"

"It was Ichirou-san and Ishida-san. I saw them tamper with the vehicle. I'm sorry I didn't tell you before."

"Shichirou? It's okay. Ne, I was wondering if you saw who killed that student in the gym." He nodded grimly.

"Ichirou-san summoned a very bad spirit. I'm sure you saw what kind of spirit it was from those papers. That spirit is the one that possessed the students and is the one who killed that boy. I'm sorry for putting you in danger. I didn't know it would turn out like this."

"It's okay, Shichirou. Like you said, you didn't know." I said smiling at him. He smiled back, but then he turned serious all of the sudden.

"Those two aren't done yet. I heard them planning something in the alley way. I couldn't hear what it was though because I'm starting to fade away." I gasped.

"What happens if you don't cross over?"

"I don't know, but I don't want to find out."

"Then cross over Shichirou. Do it while you still can. Don't do this to yourself. Please," He nodded, sadly.

"I'm glad to have met you Aki. You're the first person who ever understood me." I smiled.

"I'm glad to have met you too, and I'm glad that I could help you." He smiled back.

"I'm going to cross over now. Good-bye Aki."

"Good-bye, Shichirou." I could feel tears rolling down my cheeks as a bright light consumed him.

"That was beautiful," Masako said as tears rolled down her cheeks too. I sniffled and nodded.

"What did he say?" John asked curiously.

"He told me Ishida-san and Ichirou-san were the ones who tampered with the van and that they're planning something for tonight. And he apologized for putting me in danger and then he crossed over. He told me that the thing Ichirou-san summoned is what killed that student and is the one that possessed the students in the middle of class."

"I see," Naru said scaring us.

"Naru, what are you doing out of bed? Do the nurses know you're out of bed?" Monk asked scowling at Naru. He was sitting in a wheelchair.

"Yes, they know. They said as long as John and Yasuhara were with me it would be fine."

"We tried to stop him." John said shrugging.

"How are you feeling Miss Haru?"

"I hurt a lot, but I'll live." He nodded.

"I contacted Detective Fujiwara and told him everything that's happened thirty minutes ago. He's on his way over. He requested the police here to guard our rooms and a BOLO has been put out for Ichirou-san and Ishida-san. He said to hang tight until he gets here." I frowned. It's going to take more than that to stop Ichirou-san and Ishida-san, I just know it.

"Has Madoka-san tried to contact you yet, Naru?" Mai asked him. Who's Madoka-san? Naru sighed.

"Yes, I've already talked with her. She said she wouldn't be able to come because of her work."

"Who's that?"

"She's the one who taught Naru everything he knows about ghost hunting, right Naru?" Monk asked him grinning. Naru just sighed.

"Really?" I asked him.

"Yes," He answered. I smiled.

"I'll have to meet her some time."

"Now that I think about it, you and Madoka-san would get along great." Ayako said smirking at Naru. "You both love to mess with Naru over there." I grinned.

"Well it is fun." There was a moment of silence before anyone spoke.

"I'm sure once the doctor checks you out, they'll allow you to go visit Lin, Aki." Monk said thoughtfully after awhile. I nodded, smiling. I guess it was obvious that I was worried about Lin.

"I'll go get the doctor then." Masako said getting up and leaving the room.

"I'll go make some tea." Mai said getting up too. I guess she needed something to keep her mind off things. I don't blame her. The doctor didn't waste any time in coming to check me over.

"You're healing just fine. You are allowed to go visit Mr. Koujo but only if you have at least two escorts." The doctor said sternly. I nodded.

"Thank you, doctor." He nodded smiling before he left the room.

"I'll come with you, Aki." Yasu offered.

"In that case, I'll come too." Ayako said getting up. I smiled and nodded. They helped me into a wheelchair and soon we were going to Lin's room. When I got into the room, I nearly gasped. Lin looked horrible. His broken leg was elevated and he had bruises everywhere. I probably didn't look any better. Yasu pushed me closer to Lin's bed. I carefully took his left hand in mine and squeezed it. I hope he wakes up soon. I'm not sure how long I was sitting there, but it felt way too soon when Yasu and Ayako told me it was time for me to get back to my room. I didn't want to leave Lin. I wanted to stay here all night with him.

"He'll be here tomorrow, Aki. We'll come back tomorrow, so you can visit him again." Ayako said hugging me. I sighed, but nodded.

"Okay," I hope Lin wakes up soon. I thought as the two wheeled me back to my room. Naru was still there and it looked like he was discussing something with John and Monk.

"I just got a call from Detective Fujiwara. He's in town and he's on his way to the hospital as we speak." Naru announced as soon as he noticed us come in.

"That's good," I said yawning. I'm still worn out from everything. I just hope nothing bad happens.

"We'll let you get some rest," Monk said as he and Yasu helped me into bed. "We'll come back by tomorrow, okay?" No, I don't want you to leave... That's what I wanted to tell them, but I was so tired. I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.

No One's P.O.V

"I'll stay with her." Ayako said once Naru told her and Yasu what he, John, and Monk were talking about. They were planning on keeping at least one of them in Aki's, Lin's, and his own room. Just in case they were attacked by spirits. Plus, he really wanted to protect Aki. Naru told her that she would be okay, but she ended up getting hurt like that.

"No," Monk said loudly. Ayako looked at him shocked as he looked down. "I'll stay with her." Naru could only guess that he told her the same thing.

"No, since Lin is completely out, it would better for you to be in there. John can stay in my room." Monk didn't look happy at all about not staying with Aki, but he understood what he had to do. It was important that Lin and Naru were safe too. Aki didn't look too happy about them leaving either, he noticed. He didn't blame her after everything that's happened so far. He just hoped that they would be enough in case of spiritual attacks and he really hoped that the help Detective Fujiwara has provided will keep them safe from any physical attacks.

Hours later, John, Ayako, and Monk were sitting in their assigned rooms all nodding off. Ayako was trying to keep herself awake but it was nearly impossible. She noticed the guards outside the door had fallen asleep and was annoyed with them. If it weren't for Aki sleeping, she would've gotten up and gave them a piece of her mind. Oh no... She thought as she started to drift off to sleep. She didn't notice two intruders making their way into Aki's room. The guards outside the door were knocked out and lying on the floor. Ichirou cursed silently to himself, not counting on the others staying behind. "Tie up the spare and put a gag over her mouth." He ordered Ishida. "I'll start painting the circle." Ishida grimaced but did as he was told. "Oh and don't forget the blindfold this time." Ichirou pulled the paint out of his duffle bag and got to work. He made sure they were quiet so they wouldn't wake up the girl.

It wasn't until he and Ishida started the chanting, that Ayako woke up. She tried to yell for Aki to wake up, but she finally noticed that she was gagged. Well that was annoying. If she could free her hands, she would've been able to help her. "I see you're finally awake Miss Priestess." Ichirou greeted her, deciding to take the risk of taking her gag off. She scowled at him.

"What are you doing to Aki?"

"Oh this girl? I'm sacrificing her."

"What? That's crazy!"

"Oh but it isn't. You see, if I keep sacrificing others for them, then they'll be happy and do what I ask."

"What is wrong with you?" Ichirou chuckled as he put the gag back on her.

"Nothing at all, my dear." Then he and Ishida got back to chanting. They had to hurry before the girl woke up.

In Lin's room, Monk heard a commotion from down the hall. At their request, the doctors put Lin, Naru, and Aki all on the same floor. He heard a few grunts and some thuds. He didn't want to leave Lin and have Naru get mad at him, but he couldn't ignore this. He got up and when he opened his door, he found the guards at his door asleep. He rolled his eyes. Some guards these guys are. Detective Fujiwara showed up about thirty minutes or so after he, Ayako, and John went to their posts. He was out in his car watching the entrances of the hospital. He had two or three other cop cars out there watching the entrances too. But that didn't mean anything. Monk thought as he woke the two guards. They grunted as they finally woke up. "What seems to be the problem?" One of them asked.

"I just heard two grunts followed by thuds from down the hall."

"Alright," The other said, "We'll go and check it out. Please wait here."

"Will you notify the other two officers as well?" That way John would know that something was up.

"Yes, sir."

"Thank you," Monk said before going back into the room. He waited five minutes before leaving again and slowly going to Naru's room. The guards there were gone and John looked like he was coming out too.

"Shibuya-san wants me to take him to Koujo-san's room."

"Alright, I'll help you out, but then I'm going straight for Aki's room."

"Understood," Naru said from his bed. Monk and John helped him into his chair and then Monk split off from them. When he came to Aki's room, he did not expect to see all six officers knocked out and Ayako tied up. Aki was missing.

"Ayako!" Monk raced over to her and untied her from the chair. There was a blindfold over her eyes. "What happened?" She was crying. He hesitantly hugged her and tried to comfort her.

"It was Ichirou-san and Ishida-san. They were going to sacrifice her to what they call them. When those officers came, the two knocked them out and Aki woke up. But Ishida-san knocked her out with chloroform and they kidnapped her." Ayako said through sobs.

"Alright, come on. Everyone is in Lin's room." She nodded and he pulled out his phone to check on Detective Fujiwara.

"This is Fujiwara."

"Yes, this is Takigawa."

"Oh you're from that group in the hospital, right? What's wrong?" Monk wanted to scream at the man but he didn't.

"Ichirou-san and Ishida-san got into Aki's room and kidnapped her when the guards from Lin's room and Naru's room when to go check on her. The other two guards in front of Aki's room were knocked out."

"What? How? We were watching all the entrances and exits!"

"I don't know, but we're all waiting in Lin's room."

"Okay, I'm on my way up. I'll get the other officers to check out Miss Haru's room."'

"Thanks," Then Monk hung up on the guy. He was angry with the detective for not doing his job correctly. Now what were they going to do?

"I've called Yasuhara, Miss Hara, and Mai. They're on their way over now." Naru informed them as the two walked in.

"What happened? Where's Aki?" John asked worriedly.

"Ayako was tied up, blindfolded, and gagged." Monk said angrily. "I called Detective Fujiwara and he didn't even know Ishida-san and Ichirou-san got in. He's on his way up and the other officers are searching Aki's room. Aki was kidnapped, Naru." This was the first time anyone seen any emotion other than anger or annoyance cross Naru's face. He looked upset and sad.

"I'm sorry," Ayako said guiltily.

"No, it's not your fault." Naru said quietly after awhile.

"A-Aki's gone?" Lin's cracked voice sounded in their ears.

"You're awake!" John said in surprise.

"Tell me, is she really gone?" Everyone went quiet and looked away from his eyes. He sighed. Now how was he supposed to fulfill his promise?