Modoka caught Mai as she fell. "Set her in the van" Amber instructed coming out of a nearby tent holding a leather bag. Naru gave his sister an evil glare and sulked off to change his clothes followed by an amused Lin. Luella lead Modoka to a caravan where Mai was set onto the Davis' Bed. Amber opened her bag and produced a few herbs and a pestle and mortar. Modoka watched as Amber placed some strong herbs and salt into the Mortar. A few moments later Amber had Modoka sit Mai up.

"Smelling salts." Amber explained as he put the concoction into a jar. Walking over to Mai Amber held the open jar under her nose, a few moments later Mai woke up suddenly. "What is that god awful smell" she cried. Amber smiled, "bitter smelling salts, guaranteed to wake even the most hardcore sleepers, I tested it out on Lin one morning." Mai looked confused "Why not Naru?" Modoka laughed "all that boy needs is to smell tea and he's up"

Mai, Modoka and Amber left the caravan into a nearby ten where Naru was handing out folders. "Now Mai has finished making a fool of herself." He began, ignoring the glares from everyone in the tent "The case"

Martin took over "last year an archaeology dig took place 2 miles away where they discovered an forgotten village. Two days into the dig the head archaeologist's daughter went missing during day trip to the dig. Oliver was called in to try and find her however we were too late, since then three more children have gone missing. Amber!" Amber nodded and continued "Oliver/Naru can only find living people, and as Gene is …. Missing, I was asked to investigate the four children's disappearance where I investigated the forests history, the forest has a long history on witch craft both good and evil. From what I understand the land the forest is cursed"

Ayako interrupted "how do you know its cursed?"

"the land feels burdened, and the number of missing people is higher than other places I the area." Amber explained. "Father brown can you preform a blessing on our camp" Naru asked John. John nodded. "Ayako and Bou-san can you look about and see if you can feel any spirits?" Bou-san and Ayako nodded. "Miss Matsuzaki, what ever you do, DO NOT use the local trees for any blessings" Amber warned. Ayako looked taken back but nodded. "and Mai"Naru said looking at Mai. "Tea"

"Oh No Oliver, Mai isn't on your team" Amber interrupted. "She's on my team with Miss Mori, as per Miss Mori's request, after all didn't you break this poor girls heart with your harsh words? " Lin smirked and Martin looked confused. "Amber, Shut up" Naru snarled. "What didn't you tell Mai she loved Gene and was using you to live her fantasy?" Mai looked unconfutable. "Miss Mori, Mai can you walk the edge of the forest and make a note of what you feel. Do not enter the forest!" Amber instructed. As the to left they could hear Luella lecturing Naru.

-a few hours later-

The gang fell into the base tent exhausted. Between Naru and Amber they had been worked solid. Mai could feel many souls but had told Amber that not all of them felt human. Amber had been hard at work talking to the archaeologists who worked on the dig while Naru nursed a sore head after his mother lectured him on his behaviour around women. Lin had done tests on the local land trying to find a scientific explanation behind the disappearances. Once Father Brown had finished his blessing Amber had asked him to visit the local church and ask the priest about the local history.

"OK peps what have we found out" Amber said in her best game show host voice. "Father Brown?"

John looked a bit nervous and put on the spot but he smiled and told the team about his visit to the local church. "Well Father Ed Blackadder told me about the local history, however when I asked him about the unearthed village he went a bit cold and told me that the area was cursed. When I told him what we were doing here he said the village church did something unforgivable and left it at that. So I thanked him and left."

"Amber was there remains of a church?" Naru asked. Amber held up her hand as if to say 1 moment. "y…e….a…..s there was….. they think. If it was it was a small wooden church that would have only held half what a small one would have." Naru nodded. "Miss Matsuzaki?"

"The trees here feel angry and bitter." Ayako explained "I also feel unrest around the forest like we are not welcome." Bou-san nodded in agreement, Naru looked thoughtful. "Miss Taniyama?"

Mai looking a bit put back by the sudden formality. "I feel many sprits, some young some old. Although to me the forest feels inviting. Aunty had to stop me from going in most of the time."

"Did you feel a pull to a certain area or just into the forest?" Naru prompted

"Just into the forest. I thought I saw some small foxfires but they are the wrong size." Mai replied

Naru nodded.

"so to recap, we have:

· A haunted forest with different aged sprits

· Miss Matsuzaki and Mr Monk didn't feel welcome

· Mai felt a pull to the forest

· Mai also thought she saw fairy lights, Oliver don't roll your eyes at me!

· The local priest says the land is cursed, but doesn't what to tell how he knows.

So an ordinary day at the office." Amber said joyfully.

Ed Blackadder is a reference to Edmund Blackadder from the BBC TV show "Blackadder" - I obviously don't own this character.

Hiya, here is the latest with Mai and the gang if you enjoy please review. see ya soon for chapter 6

-KNT