Warning!! Violence, blood, graphic gore, a tidbit of OOCness, angst, dark theme, swearing, failed attempts at humor, MaixNaru
Disclaimer!! Sadly I do not own Ghost Hunt or any of the characters in it. If I did Mai wouldn't be so naïve and Naru wouldn't be such a narcissist.
Author's Note!!! The nursery rhyme I have in here is one that I made up for the purpose of this story and that is all. This chapter might really be disturbing and graphic so please be warned…It has a little incest as well. But um lol…I made a discovery!! I always believed Lin (or Rin) is his first name but I discovered Koujo is actually Lin's first name. Wow I'm such a ditz lol. I'd like to thank everyone for reading and adding this to their fav's or alerts as well as all of you who have reviewed. I'm glad you have liked it. Its greatly appreciated.
Bou-Monk
Hōshō- pronounced Ho-u-sho-u
Miko-priestess usually a shrine priestess
Onmyouji-magic user
Shiki/Shikigami-spirits under an onmyouji command
Sensei-Teacher (in this context)
Oyabun-Boss
Tasukete or Tas'kete-help me/save me
Mochiron-Of course
Okasan-Mother
Hentai-pervert (in this context)
Dream
Spirit speak
Flashback
"Blah" character talking
'Blah' character thoughts
Gone But Never Forgotten
Chapter 2- Raven's Wings Part 2: Never thought it would happen
*+*+*+*+*
Wisps of light brown hair that was almost curly.
Warm brown eyes just a shade lighter than my own were laughing.
A familiar face, a familiar smile but a loving smile that both warmed me up and hurt me deeply inside.
A voice that was all too familiar with the all too familiar nursery rhyme.
Raven wings and Raven eyes
Don't look at Raven he'll see the lies
He sees all the children do
Yes little child even you
Raven, Raven don't come here
The nasty little Raven only brings fear…
Fear there was something I feared about that nursery, something like a warning. She was warning me. That familiar loving face, that woman that had my face though different. That woman was my mother but before I could call out and ask her what was the rest of the nursery rhyme she was gone. I looked behind me when I felt a presence and I saw Gene there smiling softly. I didn't understand it. Why were they there? They shouldn't be here. They had moved on and they were supposed to be happy. What were they doing in my dreams? Something wasn't right, something was terribly wrong.
*+*+*+*+*
Mai was startled when she was shaken awake and looked into the face of Bou. She blinked owlishly before he grinned and said, "We made it to Kyoto, Mai-chan. Everyone went ahead of us."
Mai smiled happily at him before frowning and asking, "Why couldn't we just drive over there. It would have been so much easier…For me at least."
Bou chuckled before he said, "You know Naru. He never makes anything easy but it does cut the time we would get there by driving, down."
Mai sighed before pouting as she saw the logic in his words but was in no mood to admit he was right. She couldn't remember much from the dream she had just glimpses of images. A flash of brown, a glimpse of a face and then the soft echoing parts of a song or nursery rhyme that would fade in and out of her memory. It was like everytime she tried to grasp it, it slipped through her fingers like wisps of smoke. She followed behind Bou wordlessly as they went to go meet up with Ayako, Masako, John, Yasuhara, Naru and Lin. She grinned when she saw them and ran passed Bou with her carry on bag before she was engulfed in a hug from Ayako. She laughed lightly as she thought of her strange family.
Matsuzaki Ayako, self proclaimed Miko (Priestess) was like the mother of the group and secretly the oldest though she denied it. Takigawa Hōshō (Bou), a band singing ex-monk was the father of the family and most likely Ayako's soon to be boyfriend if they continued arguing the way they were. Next was John Brown, a priest from Australia and he was like the kind older brother figure. Next was Hara Masako, a famous Kimono wearing doll-like Medium who was like the annoying but hard to hate sister. Then there was Osamu Yasuhara, the university student that helped them out from time to time, he was like the other older brother that liked to be weird and eccentric but thoughtful. Next of course was Koujo Lin, Naru's assistant as well as possible onmyouji with Shiki controlling abilities, he was like the uncle in the group. Of course there was Naru or Kazuya Shibuya AKA Noll AKA Oliver Davis, he was…well he was Naru. Narcissistic, slave driving, workaholic, compassionate at times Naru. Then of course was his Sensei the only one missing from the group...Madoka Mori, the eccentric excitable paranormal expert, she was like the aunt that was always making sure everyone was in check especially Naru.
Mai looked around as they made their way towards the van and Ayako's car. Everyone, excluding Naru and Lin, chatted happily and once in a while Yasuhara would playfully hit on Bou which he would promptly react by hiding behind Ayako causing her to blush lightly. John chuckled softly as he shook his head at that. Masako would hide her smile behind her Kimono sleeve before she and Mai would catch each others eye and start to giggle. Mai smiled to herself as she slipped into the van after Masako got in. Even though she and Masako had their times when they could be horrid to each other they had developed a strange friendship. After a case where it was Masako's turn to save Mai and guide her they had grown closer and clashed with each other less. Mai watched as the scenery passed by quickly, hardly paying attention to Masako's one-sided conversation with Naru. Her eyes suddenly felt heavy as she tried to keep them open while she began to drift off when a cold eerie voice whispered in her ear,
"Mine."
Mai shrieked as she sat straighter in the car's seat and looked around wildly. Naru twisted in his seat to look at her as Masako laid a comforting hand on Mai's forearm. Slowly Mai began to relax and Naru asked,
"What did you see?"
Mai looked at him unseeingly for a moment before shaking her head slowly and saying quietly, "Nothing…I didn't see anything because I didn't go to sleep. I guess…I guess since I was drifting off I just heard Masako's voice a little faintly and overreacted."
Naru looked at her for a moment before nodding his head and turning back around in his seat. Mai caught Lin's frown in the rearview mirror as he looked at her and smiled reassuringly. Masako looked uncertain before she turned back to the front but this time the van was plunged into silence. Mai wrung her hands nervously as she glanced from her hands to the scenery outside. Something told her it was not Masako she had heard but she pushed the thought back stubbornly. Suddenly, they were approaching a large mansion next to a cliff and Mai gasped in amazement. She hadn't really notice the scenery change in Kyoto but now she saw that this place was a little more secluded and private from the town and city. Now she looked in amazement as they entered the iron gates that led up a driveway towards the mansion. She felt Masako lean against her slightly and looked to see the girl's eyes were slightly glazed but wonder still held in them and she tried to look at the mansion from Mai's side. When her eyes cleared she blinked and looked at Mai who grinned at her inquisitively. Naru watched through the small mirror on the visor as the two girls seemed to have a silent conversation before they both went back to looking at the glorious mansion. His eyes snapped back infront of him when he felt the van begin to slow down and he fidgeted in his seat slightly in anticipation. He had been telling the truth when he told his mother that there was far more paranormal and supernatural occurrences in Japan and they were all very interesting. Mai suddenly shuddered and an ominous feeling began to sink into her bones as she looked up at the towering building. The building reminded her of a building John had showed her one time in pictures. He had said the Castle-like Mansion was called 'Rose Red' and that it was very haunted with all the deaths that had happened in there. She shuddered again just as the van stopped and Naru slid out the car as did Lin who came around to help the two girls out. Mai smiled at him thankfully and he returned it with a soft eyed look that made her blush lightly. She still had trouble getting used to this nicer Lin but she liked it as well as accepted it as a part of him opening up to her. She remembered that one day after Naru and he returned from England he had admitted that she reminded him greatly of Eugene. She was snapped out of her thoughts when something cold brushed against her cheek. Her head snapped up but she saw nothing infront of her face that could have caused the sensation and she knew she was not crying. She inched backwards away from the mansion slightly only to jump when Bou's loud voice boomed near her.
"Wow!! This woman must live pretty luxuriously to have a mansion like this and to be so far away from everyone."
He whistled appreciatively before Naru glared at him just as the others joined them and an elder man came out of the mansion. He approached them with a warm smile and greeted them warmly as he said,
"Ah, you must be the people my mistress has been expecting. You are the Shibuya Paranormal Researchers am I right?"
Naru stepped forward and bowed politely as he said, "Yes we are. I am the Boss Shibuya, Kazuya. These are my assistants Lin, Koujo and Taniyama, Mai. Then these are my colleagues-"
"Matsuzaki, Ayako"
"Hara, Masako"
"John Brown"
"Takigawa, Hōshō"
"Osamu, Yasuhara"
The man bowed in return also and said, "It is a pleasure to meet all of you. Thank you so much for coming to my mistress's aid in her time of need. My name is Takiha, Makito."
Mai made a face at the strange name but held her tongue and glared at her boss when he sent her a warning look. She huffed silently before she asked curiously, "Takiha-san are you aware as to why this is all suddenly coming up?"
The elder man made a thoughtful face before giving her an apologetic look as he said, "I'm sorry but I cannot think of a reason at this point. If I think of something I will be sure to tell you right away."
Naru nodded his head before Takiha turned around and said with a small gesture towards the mansion,
"Please follow me. My mistress asked me to show you around to your rooms and the room for your base you asked for while she is out in town. She will be back later today and asks that you make yourselves at home and do as you please but to stay out of the two rooms on the top floor."
Mai noticed the quizzical look Bou and Ayako shared before Bou asked, "What are the two rooms on the top floor?"
The elder man's face lost its smile and he looked at the ground sadly as he walked towards the mansion before saying, "They are Mistress Yukari's rooms. Mistress Yukori has yet to get over her sisters death and has not allowed anyone to step foot into her rooms…She has not stepped foot into them either."
He suddenly stopped infront of the door and turned to look at Naru, his eyes pleading as he said, "I beg of you, Shibuya-san. Please find what ever caused the younger Miss's death. Yukori-sama has been broken since her sister's death. It is as though she has lost a piece of herself when she found her sister in the cellar. We never thought it would happen, never something like this."
Mai had the sense of déjà vu at his words but her heart went out to the elder man and Yukori. They had obviously cared deeply for the younger woman and suddenly Mai remembered the woman's sad face from her dream asking her to help someone and Mai knew exactly why. Under all the sadness she had seen in the young woman there was a heart of gold belonging to a kind and generous woman. Mai felt her heart ache slightly before she looked at Naru and saw his eyes hard with determination. She knew he was thinking of his own twin, Eugene, and how he understood how Yukori felt. In one moment her heart felt heavy before he said,
"I will help you…You have my word, Takiha-san."
Takiha smiled gratefully at Naru through his watery eyes and Mai couldn't help the swell of pride and love she felt for Naru. Sometimes, just sometimes he showed unwavering kindness that he tried to hide under a cold face but she had learned to see past it. Her attention was brought back to where they were and what they were doing here when Naru looked at them and said,
"Takigawa-san, Osamu-kun, John-kun help Lin get the equipment."
Takiha hesitated before he said, "I can have one of the maid's escort you to where the room for your base is at if you would like?"
Naru nodded his head appreciatively and said, "That would be helpful…Thank you."
Takiha nodded before opening the door and calling out for one of the maids. One appeared next to him and he spoke quietly before she nodded and stepped beside the door out of their way. Bowing she said, "My name is Imani."
Mai couldn't help herself this time as her tongue slipped and she asked, "You are foreign?"
Imani looked at her shocked, her hazel green eyes wide as her blonde hair was pulled into a neat bun before she blushed and said, "Yes, ma'am."
Mai blushed also and murmured a soft apology for speaking out of turn but the youth just smiled warmly before Takiha led them into the Mansion finally. Mai just barely held back a squeal of delight as she looked around the entrance taking it all in. Two winding staircases on each side of the entrance led up to the second floor and were carved from mahogany. A pure white silver and diamond chandelier hung in the middle of the ceiling covering the whole entrance in beautiful almost white light. The floor was a polished cherry wood and the doors had angelic carvings in the wood. Every piece of furniture and paintings must have cost a lot of money, especially the ones that looked like antiques. Mai looked around to gauge her "family's" that was present reactions and wasn't very surprised at them. Masako had her kimono sleeve over half her face but Mai could see her eyes were wide with awe and amazement. She guessed that not even Masako had seen a place like this and she lived in a mansion also. Ayako was practically gushing over all the details put into the home. Naru…well Naru was just as impassive as ever when it came to the house-mansion. As soon as they entered the mansion Takiha's demeanor changed and he got business-like. Pointing up the stairs he said,
"That is the second floor bedrooms with some studies and a library also. That is where you and your colleagues will be sleeping. My mistress wishes me to inform you that you may take any room you wish and use more than the four rooms you asked for. No one but your team will reside on that floor since my mistress sleeps in the third floor. The maids and servants, including myself, sleep in the floor below this one just before the cellar."
He turned around and begun to walk briskly towards an open hallway below the balcony like banister connecting the floor and staircases, the hallway twisted sharply as he continued on speaking and informing them of everything.
"There are four floors in total, not including the tower which is inaccessible. The door has been jammed ever since we arrived here. I will show you to your extra room now and I hope it will be to your liking. Dinner is at seven o'clock and I will send for the maids to get you and escort you to the dinning room. I will have a copy of the master key to all the rooms for all of you when dinner is over. Sometimes the mistress wishes the rooms locked after someone comes out of it but I am unsure as to why. I think she fears whoever…"
He trailed off and the team knew what he meant, she was scared that whoever or whatever killed her sister would try to come after her. For a moment they walked briskly in silence before Mai asked curiously,
"How long have you been here? I mean, how long have you lived in this place?"
Takiha seemed to think about it and turned left before saying, "Since the Mistress's were fifteen, Taniyama-san."
Mai nodded her head in understanding before Naru asked, "And where exactly is the most activity located?"
Takiha seemed to think about is again before taking another left turn then a right turn just before he answered, "The cellar where Yukari-sama was found, the tower room-"
"I thought you said it was inaccessible?"
Naru interrupted sharply but the elder man merely nodded and said, "That is correct however…Sometimes strange noises are heard from in there…Sometimes you can hear screams coming from in there. It is horrifying truthfully."
As though to emphasis his point he shuddered before continuing to list the places. "The living room where the maid disappeared from, the dinning room where a few of the servants have been stabbed, the third floor hallway just above the entrance where a few of the staff have gone unconscious or have seen a figure by the window. But also…Yukari-sama's room. Sometimes when I pass by I can hear weeping but I dare not go in."
Naru nodded his head absentmindedly as Takiha listed the places and Mai knew he was making a mental list of the places he named. She sighed heavily and inwardly thought, 'I have my work cut out for me.' She chuckled softly just as the elder man stopped infront of a door and turned towards them with a smile as he said,
"Yukori-sama said that this living room should be suitable for your needs. Please come and look to see if it is truly to your liking as well as needs."
Naru didn't hesitate to walk in as Takiha opened the door and stepped aside to let him in while the females hesitated before following behind. Ayako gasped and said, "This isn't a livingroom!! It can't be!!"
Mai knew how Ayako felt as she voiced her thoughts exactly. The room was huge; it was a grand and elegant room that had a fireplace, TV, large windows as well as comfortable couches and chairs. It was large enough to be a ballroom. Takiha watched in amusement before he said, "On this floor there are two living rooms, the dinning room, kitchen, as well as the ballroom. If you go to the ballroom and go to the large doors it will lead you to the garden and cliff-side. Is the room to your liking?"
He directed the question to Naru who looked at him for a moment before nodding his head and said, "It is more than enough…I appreciate it."
This seemed to make the elder man's day as his grin lit up and he bowed before he said, "I am glad you approve. I will see if Imani-san needs any help as well as your colleagues."
Naru let a ghost of a smile grace his lips for a second before he said, "That would also be greatly appreciated, Takiha-san."
The man bowed again before he turned and left the room in that same brisk walk. Mai had a feeling that he walked briskly wherever he was. They looked over the room when a few moments later John, Lin and Bou came in carrying the equipment and Takiha carried a table with Imani. Naru began directing them and Mai followed them out to help with the equipment. Once all the monitors and other equipment were set up Naru began ordering everyone on what to do.
"Takigawa-san, You and Matsuzaki-san take a few cameras and begin setting them up in the dinning room, the main living room, and outside of Yukari-san's bedroom. For Yukari-san's bedroom take a microphone too."
Bou and Ayako nodded their heads a little exasperatedly but Bou grabbed the camera's while Ayako grabbed the stands and microphone. Naru turned towards Masako and said, "Hara-san you and Osamu-kun walk around the house to get a reading from it. Be aware of everything."
Masako nodded her head a little absently but Yasuhara just grinned as he saluted Naru and said, "Roger, Oyabun!"
Naru glared at him as Yasuhara steered a giggling Masako out the room while Mai and John chuckled. When his glare switched over to them John chuckled nervously and Mai winced before sticking out her tongue. Naru rolled his eyes before he said,
"Mai make a record of the temperature in each room. John go with her and set up a camera and microphone in the remaining rooms. The third floor hallway with the window above the entrance, outside the tower room as well as the cellar."
Mai felt a chill go up her spine and she shuddered at the mention of having to go near that cellar but she nodded her head. She picked up what she needed to take and record temperatures as John grabbed the cameras and stands. Mai hesitated before she asked him,
"Do you want me to help?"
John smiled kindly at her and said, "Though I may not look it I am strong, Mai-san. Do not worry about me, I can carry them easily."
Mai hesitated before smiling and nodding her head at his words with a small blush. They made their way towards the rooms and Mai recorded the temperature in each room. She looked around the cellar they had just entered and moved closer to John. She looked around the damp and cold room fearfully as she recognized it as the place she had seen Yukari being cornered. She took a reading of the room and saw that it was five degree's below the rest of the rooms. She shuddered and whispered softly to John,
"Please hurry, I don't like this place."
John glanced at her as he set up the camera before looking around the room and replying, "I don't like it also. There is something not right about it, Mai-san…Almost evil."
Mai looked at John worriedly she had never really heard him speak in such a serious and grave tone. However, she knew his words were true because even she could feel the evilness. When he was done she contacted Lin and asked,
"How's that Lin-san? Oh! And tell Naru that the cellar is five degree's lower than the other rooms I've checked."
There was static before his voice came over the walkie-talkie and he said, "Move it a little more to the left and he heard you."
Mai relayed his words to John as she looked around the cellar but she jumped when there was static on the talkie again before Lin said,
"That's good Taniyama-san."
Mai nodded at the camera and told John before bolting up the staircase and out of the cellar. When John caught up to her at the top of the staircase she gave him an apologetic smile and said,
"I'm sorry John. It's just that…"
John shook his head and smiled kindly as he said, "Its fine Mai-san. I had the urge to run out of there too. I just barely stopped myself."
He chuckled softly and Mai felt her shot nerves begin to relax as she took deep breaths before they moved towards the third floor. Mai looked around as she took the temperatures of the rooms before coming to the window. Mai examined the hall before pointing at a spot that wasn't in the way too much but would catch everything. John nodded his head and began to set up the camera as Mai took the temperature of the hall. She was surprised to see that it was three degrees colder than the other rooms. She had been sure it would be at least a few degrees higher. She frowned down at the clip board when Naru's voice came over the talkie and he said,
"That's good there. Move on to the tower room."
Mia looked at John and said, "Naru said its fine there. Let's head up to the tower."
John looked relieved at the news and straightened up as he followed Mai to the tower stairs. The tower was made from stone as they climbed the winding staircase and Mai couldn't help the ominous feeling that had begun to creep back into her. She looked around the hall they had entered and examined the place. There was one long hall that led to a door that was the tower room. The floor was made from the same cherry wood but everything else was pure stone. It made Mai shiver slightly before she took the temperature as John set up the camera so it would catch the whole hallway and the door. Mai's head turned sharply towards the door and she asked John quietly,
"Did you hear that?"
John looked up at her quizzically and asked, "Hear what?"
Mai looked at him and shook her head before she walked down the hall a little ways. She had sworn she heard what sounded like someone being dragged across the floor. It was an eerie screeching sound as though nails were being drug across a floor. She shivered slightly when she noticed something on the floor and bent down. She gasped as surprise and horror consumed her when she looked down at the markings on the wooden floor. It was as though someone had dug their nails into the wood and were being dragged while they tried to stop them. The marks disappeared behind the door and Mai suddenly felt the temperature in the room drop. She looked up at John as she got up from her bent position and said,
"John could you come here please?"
John looked at her from where he had just fixed the camera to Naru's liking and began to walk towards her. She was about to take a step towards him when she felt something cold wrap around her ankle and she froze. John watched her eyes widen as she froze in mid-step and he suddenly had a bad feeling as he noticed the coldness in the room. He took a step forward, reaching for her slightly as he said questioningly,
"Mai-san?"
Her eyes widened further when suddenly her body was slammed against the floor as though someone pulled her leg from under her. She recovered slightly and began to try and scramble to her feet when she felt the coldness on her leg again. This time she screamed out,
"JOHN!!! Tasukete!!!"
That's when John moved into action and he ran towards her just as a hard tug on her leg dragged her closer to the door. Mai dug her nails into the floor as she was dragged closer and closer to the door ignoring the pain that it sent through her hands to her body. She shrieked in terror when something wrapped around her wrists but saw it was John and stopped. He pulled her wrists trying to stop her from being dragged anymore knowing he wouldn't be able to exorcise the spirit in time to stop it from dragging Mai away. Suddenly, John was flung away from her and slammed against a wall, knocked unconscious just as a voice whispered in her ear,
"Mine."
Mai screamed terrified as she was dragged more harshly and she dug her nails into the floor again creating that horrifying screeching noise as her nails carved into the wood. Just then everyone appeared from the staircase and Naru ran over to her, grabbing her wrists as he yelled out,
"Takigawa-san!!"
Bou began to chant hurriedly as Lin also ran over and helped Naru try to pull her away from whatever was there. Ayako, Yasuhara and Masako ran over to John and Yasu kneeled on one side of John as Masako kneeled on the other. Ayako stood infront of them protectively as she looked between everyone worriedly. There was an inhuman outraged roar before everyone including Mai was slammed against the walls before everything was returned to normal. The room warmed up and there was no presence felt by anyone when. Mai whimpered as the pain began to radiate in her body before everything went dark and the last thing she heard was someone calling her name.
*+*+*+*+*
I opened my eyes slowly as I looked around my dreamscape and sighed. This darkness was different than all the rest and it made me feel safe and warm. There was colors in this darkness and the darkness wasn't really darkness. It had a blue tinge to it and small sparkling orbs floated with different colors and shades. I was calm, serene even, in this place and there was just one person I was waiting on.
"Hello, Mai-chan."
A smile grew on my face slowly as I turned around to face a familiar figure. He had not changed in the least bit unlike his brother. His eyes were still expressional and his face was almost boyish. I ran into his arms with a content sigh and squeezed slightly before stepping back at his chuckle. He grinned when he saw my small pout and said,
"It's been a while. You missed me?"
"Mochiron. You left me with your narcissistic brother after all." I huffed out indignantly causing him to laugh out right but it made me smile. It was the truth though. I had missed him all those days I had not seen him. Then it suddenly came to me and I frowned as I asked,
"Why are you here, Gene? Shouldn't you be in peace? What's wrong?"
Gene tousled my hair with a soft smile and shook his head as he said, "Nothings wrong. I did crossover but I was sent back here to help you."
He gently knocked on my head a little causing me to pout as he grinned and continued to say, "After all I am your dream guide as well as spirit guide…But you have an uncanny knack for getting yourself into trouble. Noll is right in that one affect. You might as well have a sign on your forehead that says 'Need a victim? Just call Mai Taniyama at 1-800-TROUBLE'."
I glared at him a little annoyed by his words before his words clicked and I asked, "You speak to Naru?"
Gene grinned and said, "No but I do listen in on him. I'm thinking about surprising him with a little prank."
I shook my head and sighed as I knew that even though Gene was kinder than the two he was also the mischievous one. He could also be just as evil and narcissistic as Naru when that pride came down to it. I looked at him a little fearfully and asked,
"So what you got to show me this time?"
He gave me an apologetic look and said, "I guess it is time to get down to business…Mai…becareful in this place. No…becareful period. There's something here that wants you but…it's not him."
I looked at him confused, sure he was usually cryptic but this was more cryptic than usual. However, before I got to ask he held out his hand for mine and I slipped mine into his. I smiled so he would know I was ready and that I trusted him. He smiled back before he pulled me along, deeper into the darkness. I felt myself move closer to him as the darkness began to change and mold into something else, something I always feared. Suddenly I could hear muttering.
"Mine, mine, she's mine. I want her. She belongs to me. So pretty so pretty, pretty. My little precious. They are always so pretty and precious. Just like little Mari. Beautiful little Mari."
I shivered as I looked at the hunched form that was curled into a corner, rocking back and forth and a small whimper escaped my lips as I moved closer to Gene. He stepped infront of me when the figure stopped muttering and stayed statue still. Slowly, its head moved towards us and I had to slap my hand over my mouth to keep myself from screaming in horror. It was disgusting almost like what was in the prime ministers estate but different. Pieces of its flesh and skin were missing I could see the skull and bones in certain parts. Its eyes were a crimson red, the muscle was hanging off of it and it was covered in blood. I clung to Gene as I trembled but it saw me and lunged at us as it screamed,
"MINE!! My blood!!"
Gene pulled us back and we were engulfed in darkness once again. I was whimpering and crying as Gene tried to comfort me whispering apologies. A few minutes later I finally calmed down a little and I looked up at him with a smile and I asked, "What next?"
He gave me a wan smile before he took my hand again and led me back into the darkness. This time I felt no fear just anticipation to see what would be revealed to me like always. Slowly a small light began to glow infront of them and scenes flashed before my eyes until it stopped and I was left alone with one scene playing out. A man who had to be in his late twenties looked down at his wife and children from the balcony of the mansion. I have to say his warm honey colored eyes and raven colored hair was attractive but the soft look he gave them showed love. His wife looked up from the yard as she scooped up their youngest daughter and looked up at him grinning. The oldest she looked around sixteen to me looked up at their father also. He waved down at them before moving back into his room but he stopped when someone came out. A girl around eighteen looked at him and she had his honey eyes and raven hair. He beamed at her as he reached out with open arms. It was obvious that she was his daughter but what happened shocked me beyond belief as well as disgusted me. She went to him, enveloping him in a hug before he lifted her face to his and kissed her. My hands slapped over my mouth as I took a step back. I couldn't believe what I was seeing it was horrible it was disgusting. It was like a forbidden love. I shook my head as I backed away when suddenly the scene changed as he was standing over his family's dead bodies. Each one of them were brutally slashed and raped, laid out like broken rag dolls. He was weeping over the daughter he had made love to, stroking her hair but I couldn't hear what he was muttering. I was enveloped in darkness once again and I was back to my dreamscape. I shuddered at the thought of what could have happened but I couldn't dwell on it for long because I could hear voices. I turned around looking at my dreamscape one more time before turning away and following the soft voices.
*+*+*+*+*
"…fully they didn't come off. There was just….blood…."
"She always…so much trouble…It's a bit adorable though…"
"Hentai…What are you…"
"Could both of you shut up before you wake her?"
"Oyabun has spoken!"
Mai's eyes fluttered open before she clenched them shut against the brightly lit room and a soft groan escaped her lips. Suddenly the voices stopped and she could feel eyes on her before she even opened her own. Her eyes fluttered open again and this time she was fully prepared for the onslaught of light. She was surprised to see a pair of indigo eyes in her face and yelped blushing scarlet at the close proximity. She saw the amusement in his eyes as Naru smirked and asked,
"How are you feeling?"
She glared before assessing her aches and pain, there was a twinge in her ankle her hands were throbbing and more specifically her fingers were. She was acquiring a splitting headache that would soon consume her but other than those she was pretty well off. Shrugging slightly she replied softly,
"Better than I would expect the only real pain is in my fingers."
She looked around and saw that John was wringing his hands nervously where he stood near her and she smiled at him comfortingly. He seemed to deflate with relief before he stepped towards her and opened his mouth to apologize but she shook her head and said,
"Thank you, John. With out you there I don't think I'd be here right now. He probably would have gotten me into that room. Are you okay?"
He bit his lip before smiling at her gratefully and saying, "I'm fine Mai-san. I'm glad you're alright."
Mai shook her head just as Ayako touched her forehead and looked at her worriedly as she muttered,
"No fever, shock doesn't seem to be setting in, slight exhaustion all in all a good sign."
She looked at Mai as relief flooded her face and she said, "You're okay thankfully. You're fingers had been bleeding but luckily none of the nails had broken off entirely just a little ripped off the skin but nothing serious. You're ankles a little bruised and you should be getting a little headache from your fall but other than that everything's normal."
She handed over a glass and pills that Bou had given her and said, "Take this it will help with the headache."
Naru backed away as he studied the two as Mai took the glass and pills, drinking them in one gulp but not before making a face at the pills. His lips twitched slightly but thankfully noone noticed before he put his mask back on. He looked at her seriously and asked,
"What did you see?"
Mai's brown gaze met his indigo one before she said, "Whoever lived in this mansion wasn't very pure…"
Everyone gave her a quizzical look but she looked back at them with a dead gaze before Naru stiffened and he said, "You're not Mai."
Slowly a cruel smile grew on her face as she said, "Bingo, Shibuya-san. I wonder if you can figure out what's going on before your pretty little assistant dies ne?"
Naru stiffened more and he glared at her before he asked, "What are you talking about?"
Mai let out a soft cold laugh before she said, "Let me tell you a story…Or at least the part of the story that little Mai-chan was going to tell you."
Everyone looked at the girl cautiously before nodding their heads one by one but Naru asked, "How did you possess Mai without Masako sensing you?"
The girl chuckled and shrugged before she said, "It was easy really. Covered my essence behind the monsters essence and slipped in while she was unconscious in the tower."
She gave him a thoughtful look before she asked, "Are you going to listen now?"
Naru had the urge to sneer at the girl but as she was in possession of Mai's body he didn't want to anger her. He glanced at Masako, who was pale and trembling but somehow keeping herself up right before he nodded his head. She gave him a delighted look before she bounced her in seat as she thought then stopped and she began,
"There once lived a man, Moshiro, with his beautiful wife and three equally beautiful children. His wife's name was Kazumina Aoi. Their children's name was Mika, the nine year old, Maki, the sixteen year old, and Mari, the eighteen year old. They were a happy family but the father hid something from the wife. A very disgusting secret that would ruin him and tear their family apart. He and Mari were in love. They committed the ultimate incest. They made love. But one day the man came home to find his children dead as well as his wife. All of them raped and murdered. He cried over his oldest daughter, weeping and cursing."
She gave everyone in the room a cold smile at the obvious looks of disgusts at hearing that a man and his daughter were intimately connected. Bou stepped towards the girl as he glared at her and snarled out, "If you are done get out of her body."
The girl laughed gleefully before she got up and said, "Oh I will but this won't be the last time I use her body. Well I should be off. Good bye sweet little Medium. Maybe I'll visit you in your dreams to play with you."
Masako shuddered as she stumbled backwards away from the possessed Mai which only made the girl laugh harshly before she bowed and Mai slumped to the ground. Before her head hit the ground Bou caught her. He held her close as he looked down at her peaceful face then looked up at everyone. Masako shuddered before she said,
"That spirit…She's so twisted…Her aura goes from pure white to a deep violet. I couldn't get a clear look at her either. It was like there was a cloak over her."
Naru looked down at Mai before Yasuhara said, "But what about what she said about the daughter and father…How is that connected to what's happening?"
They all looked at Naru who watched the face of Mai intently before looking up at them and replying, "I don't know but I have a feeling things just got much more complicated."
*+*+*+*+*
Listen closely little Mai-chan…
Okasan…
Raven wings and Raven eyes
Don't look at Raven he'll see the lies
He sees all the children do
Yes little child even you
Raven, Raven don't come here
The nasty little Raven only brings fear…
Mai…
~Owari~
A/N!!! Poor Mai she always has it rough. From psychopathic homicidal spirits to possessions. You name it happens to Mai. Murphy's law is proven if you just see what happens to this girl. *shakes head laughing* She is so lucky she's so lovable and everyone living is drawn to her too…Then again that's not always good either. Ah well I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and I will have the next chapter up as soon as I can. This is my first Ghost Hunt story after all. *laughs nervously* I hope you are all enjoying this and will continue to read. I'm sorry this is a little graphic and violent but I am basing it upon some true events at least the girl's story is based upon true events not so sure about the whole ghost thing. And there is a reason I mentioned the movie 'Rose Red' in here but in here its not a movie but an actual mansion. Anyway Ja ne minna!!