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.

Authors Note! Aww! Thanks you guys! I'm soo glad everyone is turning out to like this story! I was actually really worried no one was going to take to it but to see how many of you actually have added it to your fav's or/and alerts has been so heart warming! Especially all of you who have reviewed and let me know what you think or asked questions. But well I'm finally back from Florida and I'm getting more on track with my stories so hopefully things will be running a little faster but I cant promise anything. I thank each and every single one of you who have been reading my story and especially those reviewing and adding. This will be the last chapter of "Raven's Wings" and the next part will be called "Mad Hatter". You will see why it's called that and you will see just how dangerous things get for our little Mai-chan. However! Until then, enjoy this chapter everyone!

Bou-Monk

Hōshō- pronounced Ho-u-sho-u

Miko-priestess usually a shrine priestess

Shiki/Shikigami-spirits under an onmyouji command

Daijobu desu ka?-Are you alright/okay?

Onegai-please

Arigato gozaimasu-thank you very much

Dream

Spirit speak

Flashback

"Blah" character talking

'Blah' character thoughts

Gone But Never Forgotten

Chapter 5- Raven's Wings Part 5: Forgotten or Hidden

It was so close. So close that I was sure if I reached out I would be able to touch it.

I knew this was not the first time I had this dream and each time the sound only got close.

The sound of beating wings. The sound that actually terrified me but not more so than the cold cruel laugh that echoed in the dark.

The laugh that told me who ever it was enjoyed my pain.

That told me it was delighted at the sounds of my whimpers.

The laugh that told me whatever it was, it wanted something from me.

Naru frowned as he, Lin and Yasuhara made their way towards the main livingroom to meet with Yukori. He couldn't help but remember the last look Mai had given them all as they walked out of the base and left her alone. She had looked like she wanted to say something, like she wanted to say this was a bad idea, that something was wrong. However, before she could say anything that would make him change his decision he had closed the door and left. He looked up as they approached the main livingroom doors and Takiha opened the doors for them as they walked in. Yukori was sitting on a chair infront of the fireplace, staring into it unseeingly as she sipped her tea absently. Naru cleared his throat to get her attention and signal their entrance and it worked as she looked up quickly, spilling some of her tea into a small plate under it. She put down her tea and signaled for them to take a seat which they complied to and sat across from her. She took a deep breath before smiling shakily as she said,

"I hear about your assistant…Is she alright?"

Naru nodded his head as Lin remained emotionless and Yasuhara grinned as he said, "Mai is fine. A little shaken up but she's strong."

Yukori smiled wanly before looking at her folded hands that lay on her lap. Taking a deep breath she looked up at them before asking,

"Is it targeting, Mai-san?"

Naru stiffened and Lin's eyes narrowed as he asked, "What makes you think that?"

Yukori's eyes watered slightly before she said, "I had my suspicions. The activity is the same when it was going after my sister."

Yasuhara frowned as he looked at Naru and Lin before he said, "Yes…Whatever it is, it's targeting her."

Yukori bit her lip before she said, "Then I must ask you to leave. I will not have another…I will not have her death on my conscience. I will not let it have her. For her own safety as well as all of yours I'm calling this hunt off."

All three looked at the women stunned but Naru shook his head as he opened his mouth but before he could get anything out the walkie-talkie on him let out a loud static before Mai's voice came on.

"Naru! There's something happening at the tower!"

They heard a brief tumble and Naru was out of his seat before anyone could say anything. Yasuhara and Lin raced after the young man and heard him speak into the walkie-talkie as he said,

"What do you mean, Mai? Where are you?"

He was running straight for the base and on their way they met up with Bou and Ayako who had heard over their own walkie-talkie. There was some static before Mai's voice came out a little out of breath as though she was running and they could hear her feet pounding on the floor as she said,

"The door is open and there was a woman standing in the doorway. I'm on-"

There was some static as her voice was cut off before a shriek was heard through the house and they all stopped abruptly. All their bodies tense and on high alert while their minds raced wildly as another shriek filled the house and Naru yelled out as he raced in a different direction,

"She's at the tower!"

Everyone was running after him just as they met an out of breath Masako and John. Both of their eyes were wide but only Masako was pale white with terror in her eyes and they were off running again. They could hear an enraged snarl echo through the house as though it was the house itself snarling. Suddenly, cries and screams filled the house as Mai voiced her pain and fright. When they reached the tower staircase they realized the screams were no longer coming from the tower but somewhere else in the house. Suddenly, a scream so filled with terror that it made all the inhabitants in the house freeze filled the mansion. It was the scream of someone who knew they were going to die but didn't want to. Naru cursed viciously as he tried to pinpoint the scream before beginning to run again, letting his feet lead him to where his instincts were telling him to go. Suddenly they heard her yell coherent words from some where close by,

"Help me! Someone please save me!"

Naru whirled around wildly as Bou began to slam open doors and the women huddled together crying softly as John and Yasuhara tried to comfort them. Lin was looking around with Naru as the three men yelled Mai's name trying to find her. Suddenly her yell came from close by as she yelled out,

"I'm in the cellar stairs! Help m-"

Her voice was cut off once again as this time there was a loud crash but at John's gasp they all looked at him. His eyes were wide and this time he was the one with the look of horror as his skin turned pale. He looked at them all and said,

"The cellar."

Without another word Naru, Lin, Bou and Yasuhara were racing towards the cellar door. Yasuhara was the first one to reach the door and he burst through it causing the door to slam open and they heard a wet ripping sound echo through the stairs at that moment along with an enraged roar. Suddenly, all four of them realized there was no more screams or cries coming from their female teammate as they ran through the cellar and they immediately saw why when they reach her. The creature was ripping into her, a blade deep in her as she lay in a pool of her own blood. Her leg was twisted into an unnatural position as they looked at the enraged creature ripping into her. Suddenly, Lin whistled sharply sending his Shikigami at the creature but it looked up at them with glowing crimson orbs and disappeared before they could touch it. Naru and Yasuhara raced over to the young woman while Lin and Bou just stared at her body in shock and horror. Naru held her head in his lap while Yasuhara checked her over but when he looked up his face was grim as he said,

"Her breathings shallow. Call an ambulance! Hurry!"

Without another thought Bou rushed off and Lin moved towards them but Naru picked up Mai's limp body carrying her bridal style. Lin moved towards him but the scathing glare that was shot his way made him stop immediately and Yasuhara stepped back. Naru walked out the cellar quickly with Yasuhara and Lin following nervously behind. Ayako and Masako were up instantly along with John when they saw Naru walk in holding Mai but the relief on their faces instantly turned to horror when they saw the various wounds on her body and the blade still in her chest. Ayako rushed over as Naru began to put her down and she looked over her body. Her face slowly paled as she assessed everything before checking her pulse just as a sob ripped through her chest. Naru's eyes blazed as he hissed out,

"Pull yourself together, Matsuzaki-san! Mai needs you right now and crying will do her no good."

Ayako glared at him through her tears but it was enough to get her going as she ordered Naru to take off his jacket. He obeyed and she ripped it until there were different sized pieces but Naru hadn't felt the annoyance he knew he should've. Everything was trained on the hardly breathing girl that was infront of them. Ayako took a deep breath as she gripped the blade and Mai's chest before pulling it out in one swift movement. An agonized scream ripped from Mai's throat as her eyes snapped open and her back arched at the pain before her eyes closed and her head lolled to the side. Ayako pressed a moderately large piece of Naru's ripped jacket to her wound to stop the bleeding. However, all the injuries were not making it easy as she ordered the group to take different pieces and try to stem the flow of her other wounds. By the time Bou got there with the paramedics Mai's pulse had weakened considerably and they were all covered in her blood from trying to stop it. Ayako shot up immediately and snapped out an id as she said,

"I'm a doctor. My name's Matsuzaki Ayako."

She began to explain the wounds as they gathered Mai up and began to place her on the stretcher. When they got to the ambulance a paramedic stopped them all and she said,

"Only one can come. I'm sorry Matsuzaki-sensei demo those are the rules even with a doctor."

Ayako bit her lip but Naru quickly said, "Matsuzaki-san we don't have time. Get in the damn ambulance and go."

Ayako hesitated before nodding her head and slipping in before the ambulance took off towards the hospital. Bou jumped in his car as he yelled out which hospital it was and Yasuhara slipped in next to him. Lin took their van along with Naru, Masako and John who was comforting the crying medium. Ayako's nerves were humming as they tried everything in the ambulance while they hooked Mai up to an oxygen mask and a heart monitor. Both paramedics and Ayako were cursing as Mai's heart would stop for a few seconds before beating for a few seconds and it would continue like that. There was an instance when her heart didn't start up at all again and one of the paramedics cried out,

"We're loosing her! Kuso! She's loosing too much blood."

It was then that Mai's heart began to beat again but more faintly than before and it was then Ayako realized just how much blood the young woman was loosing. It was staining the stretcher and falling over the sides to the floor. Ayako covered her mouth as she felt herself about to retch but swallowed the feeling back as she once again began to try and help her young friend who seemed almost like a daughter to her. When they arrived at the hospital they were ready to receive Mai and the young girl opened her eyes slightly, enough for them to notice and begin to try to say something but she closed her eyes again. A few moments later as they ran inside Ayako finally let the tears come as she ran beside the stretcher when Mai's eyes opened again to look at her face. However, just before they pulled Ayako away so they could take her into surgery Mai's eyes closed again. The rest of the gang reached the hospital ten minutes after the ambulance had and they rushed over to a woman at the front desk. Bou was the one to speak first as he cried out, his eyes frantic as he said,

"A girl was brought in just now! She was with Matsuzaki-sensei! Where is she? Is there any news?"

She gave him a sympathetic look before looking at her computer after she typed something. She shook her head as she pointed down a hall and said, "Taniyama-san is still in surgery I'm afraid but you can go over there. Matsuzaki-san is there also."

They nodded their heads and rushed down the hall. Bou was the first to spot Ayako as she sat in a chair with her face in her hands. They could all see her shoulders shaking violently and her sobs were echoing through the hall. Bou collapsed on his knees infront of her as he drew her into a hug and she clung to him as she buried her face into his chest. Her voice muffled as she cried while she said,

"She…She was…was in such bad shape…Her heart…Her heart kept stopping…her pulse was…just getting weaker…There…there was so…so much blood…She just…She just wouldn't stop…stop bleeding!"

Bou's face was filled with pain as he hugged her to him tighter and he murmured comforting words. Masako collapsed into a chair beside Ayako and looked ahead of her blankly as shock began to wash over her. John rushed to her side and began to try and snap her out of it until finally he just hugged her to him. She accepted the gesture and gripped his shirt but she didn't cry or make a sound. Yasuhara leaned against a wall just in time as his knees buckled underneath him and his back slid down the wall. He landed on the floor roughly as he stared at his hands before covering his face. Lin watched each of their reactions feeling his own heart begin to break as he realized that this time, this time Mai Taniyama might not get out of this alive. Naru looked at Ayako and Bou in disbelief before he shook his head and began to pace infront of the door. He couldn't believe it he didn't want to believe it because it would mean a second precious person in his life was leaving him. Thirty minutes later the door to the surgery room opened and a doctor in scrubs with a mask walked out covered in blood. They all got up quickly and looked at him but as he approached them they began to realize something was terribly wrong. His eyes were regretful as he walked towards them and when he stopped infront of them he took a deep breath and pulled off the mask along with the hat on his head. Ayako recognized the gestures as she had done the same things some times when she had to tell someone their loved one died. Ayako's breath caught as a half-sob, half-scream wrenched from her throat and she shook her head as she nearly moaned out sorrowfully,

"No! No, no, no! Please no!"

The doctor's eyes grew sadder as he shook his head and said softly, "I'm terribly sorry. We did everything we could, everything. But she lost too much blood before we could patch her up and get some blood into her. I'm sorry but…she's gone."

Naru froze as his eyes grew wide and his heart seemed to freeze before he shook his head slowly. It was then Masako finally lost it and her tears came out in an enraged scream as she told the doctor to take it back. To do better than everything they could, to bring back Mai all the while John wept silently with her in his arms. Lin's eyes closed as he suddenly felt like there was a gapping hole in his chest and his hand gripped the front of his shirt right above his heart. Yasuhara suddenly felt cold and without thinking he whirled around and ran out the hospital. Bou brought Ayako back into his arms as he shook with his own silent tears at the thought of never seeing the girl who was like a daughter to him smile again. Naru continued to stare at the doctor disbelievingly while the doctor continued and said,

"She's been dead for at least twenty minutes…There's no hope."

Suddenly, a woman ran out of the surgery room and whispered in the doctor's ear. His eyes grew wide as he looked at her and said in astonishment,

"That's not possible!"

With that he rushed off leaving them speechless and shattered but Naru couldn't help the little bit of hope that suddenly flared in his chest. Something caught his attention from the corner of his eyes and he looked beside him. Very near to them was a glossy raven's feather and suddenly Naru remembered the feather that had been on Mai's desk before the case had started. However, he didn't dwell on it when the doctor came back out of the room with a new light in his eyes as he said,

"It's a miracle. This girl is a miracle. She's alive, weak but alive and what's more is that we believe she'll pull through. The girl's a fighter and its obvious she fighting right now."

Everyone suddenly felt weak at the revelation that Mai was going to be okay and that she wasn't dead. Relief made them all weak in the knees as Masako and Ayako who hardly got along hugged laughing joyously. Lin and Bou shared a relieved smile before comforting the once again crying women while Naru watched this with his usual emotionless mask but underneath he was relieved and happy also. Lin walked off a few moments later to share the news with Yasuhara and a few minutes later he returned with the young man. His knuckles were bleeding a little and his cheeks were tear-stained as Ayako drew him into a hug that he gladly accepted. The days passed with the gang taking turns watching over the unconscious Mai. Sometimes she would open her eyes for a few seconds but most of the time she was in a deep sleep. The doctors warned them that she might slip into a coma but most likely she was just tired. However, that first day after three weeks, a whole month, she woke up fully to talk to them. Joy and relief were spread across the room to see even her weak smile as she looked at each of them. After a little talking she slipped back to sleep. It was like that for days on end, she would wake up and talk for a while as she recovered before falling back to sleep but the more she did it the longer she stood up the next time she woke. The doctor let them know that since her leg that had been broken had healed nicely much to their surprise she would be able to leave soon. Everyone, especially Mai, was relieved to hear that though Lin and Naru didn't really show it.

The wings were back and this time they were closer, closer than they had ever been.

It scared me because this time I knew I wouldn't have to reach out and touch them. I could feel the tips of its wings brushing lightly against my exposed skin.

I shivered each time the wings touched me and the laughter came at that. I had hoped that would be the one thing that wouldn't be back.

The laughter was crueler, meaner, colder.

I could hear a nursery rhythm playing in the background but everytime I strained my ears to hear it the laughter turned to growling.

I was terrified in this cold darkness when suddenly the cold laughter stopped and a deadly cold voice said,

"You will remember sooner or later and when you do. You will know what I want. I will appear to you fully little child."

The laughter came back and echoed through the darkness all around me just as I heard the sound of wings again.

However this time it wasn't going around me, it was going straight at me.

I felt my heart rate quicken and my breathing get faster while I could almost hear a beeping sound as the sound of wings shot towards me.

Mai bolted up in the hospital bed, breathing hard as the heart monitor beeped rapidly in time with her heart. Mai closed her eyes and took deep breaths of air until her heart finally slowed down enough. She looked around the room to see she was alone to her relief. She didn't want anyone to know about these recent nightmares she'd been having ever since her little death trip. Mai ran a hand through her hair knowing it was tangled but it didn't matter to her because she remembered that today was the day she was finally escaping the hospital well she was actually being released but she liked the sound of escaping. She shook her head in amusement at herself and sighed, she was back to herself except for a few dizzy spells once in a while from loosing so much blood. Mai still remembered everything vividly and a part of her wished she didn't. The door suddenly opened and Mai looked up to see Ayako and Bou looking at her with bright smiles that she returned. Ayako no longer had puffy red eyes since Mai had been recovering and Bou no longer held a pained expression. It was as though as she got better so did the heart ache and pain that everyone held when they thought she had died or would not get better. Mai still saw the pain once in a while when she got one of her dizzy spells but everyone was doing so much better and she was sure once they were away from the hospital and the reminders of what had almost happened everything would go back to normal. Bou tousled Mai's hair good-naturedly making the young women scowl at him before he held out clothes to her and Ayako said with a grin,

"You're free to go."

Mai whooped in joy and snatched the clothes out of Bou's hands before jumping out of bed and racing into the bathroom. She could hear Ayako's annoyed remarks about her still recovering and needing to stop running. Mai knew why as she shut the door behind her and leaned against it as everything began to spin for a moment. Mai frowned as she cleaned up and got ready remembering that the whole incident when she had told Naru that it wasn't his fault was the last time her and Naru actually spoke. The young man almost seemed to avoid her after that but Mai pushed the thought back as she entered the room and saw him speaking to Bou and Ayako. Naru turned around when she entered the room and said,

"Takigawa-san will take you back home while we finish the case with-"

"Wait! You don't plan on having me sit this one out do you?" Mai couldn't believe what she was hearing as Naru narrowed his eyes and said,

"Yes actually I do. You almost died because of this thing Mai. I will not give it another chance to try and take you out."

Mai blushed lightly at his words and as though he just realized what he said the anger that had begun to show on his face was hidden behind a mask but Mai still saw the anger swirling in his eyes. Bou and Ayako exchanged knowing looks before ebbing out the room without the two realizing. Mai shook her head as she said,

"No. I refuse. I promised I would help and I plan on keeping that promise."

Suddenly, Naru's eyes blazed with rage as he almost yelled out, "Are you such an idiot that you would risk your life again?"

Mai glared at him as she said simply, "Yes. If that makes me an idiot then fine I can live with being an idiot."

Naru seemed to deflate at her words but just when she thought he would say something kind his eyes sharpened angrily and he hissed out,

"Fine. But you will do exactly what I say when I say to do it. Do you understand?"

Mai opened her mouth to protest but he gave her a scathing glare as he hissed out coldly, "You will say yes or so help me I will drag you to the darkest cell I find and lock you up in there until this is done."

Mai gapped at him before finally sighing in defeat as she nodded her head and said, "Fine. Okay I agree."

Naru nodded seemingly satisfied with her answer before he picked up her bag and said stiffly, "Fine then. Let's go."

He turned around swiftly and left the room without another word but Mai could tell he was still angry with her. She sighed as they all headed towards Ayako's car and got in but thankfully the two grown-ups must have sensed the tension between the two because Bou had Naru sit in front with him and Ayako in the back with Mai. The car was quiet as they drove towards the mansion and everyone except Naru threw worried glances at each other at the obvious tension. Mai cleared her throat and glanced at Naru before taking a chance and asking,

"How's everything been at Yukori-san's?"

She noticed Naru stiffen and Bou almost swerved before getting his composure back while Ayako froze for a moment. Ayako shifted uncomfortably she said softly,

"It's been quiet over there."

"Too quiet if you ask me." Bou muttered with barely hidden hate that Mai was positive was aimed at Aki the demon. Mai shifted in her seat before Naru began to speak, his voice still holding hints of cold anger as he spoke.

"I believe he knows you're alive and idiotic enough to comeback so he is just waiting for you. He won't respond to taunts and summons."

Mai felt a flare of irritation rise in her as he called her an idiot but a gentle hand on her shoulder from Ayako got her to calm down before Naru began to speak again.

"Mai, he's waiting… And this time he's going to try harder to kill you. Whether we're there or not."

Mai turned from the window to look at Naru and realized that he had turned in his seat to look at her when her eyes met his icy dark blue ones. Mai felt her body grow cold at his words as they sunk in but she quickly pushed the rising fear away. Taking a deep breath Mai nodded her head in understanding and said,

"Well he won't have to wait long."

Bou glanced into the rear view mirror at her while something flashed through Naru's eyes before he turned around, Ayako looked away and out the window but no one said anything about her statement. When they arrived at the mansion, the moment Mai stepped out the car she was immediately hit by a wave of fear as she began to hyperventilate. Ayako sat her on the ground as Naru kneeled infront of her while she and Bou kneeled on either side of her. She could vaguely hear them telling her to calm down and take deep breaths. As she tried to comply a dizzy spell hit her and everything began to spin out of control. Her hands instantly shot out to grab a hold of something or someone that would steady the world that she was suddenly blind to because of the spinning. Her panic rose causing her breaths to come out in short, sharp gasps as she cried out,

"Ayako! Bou! Naru! Everything is spinning make it stop."

Suddenly arms enveloped her in a warm embrace and a voice broke through her panic. "Breathe, Mai. Deep calm breaths, okay? We're right here, I'm right here."

Slowly her breathing grew deeper and calmer as her world slowly stopped spinning. The panic Mai had felt began to melt away but the same ominous feeling she had gotten when they first came to the mansion, stayed. When Mai opened her eyes she realized who had hugged her and she blushed deeply. This was the second time in the whole case that she and Naru were so intimately close. When he noticed her breathing was normal and she wasn't clutching his shirt like a life line, he began to pull away. Naru smirked when he saw her blushing face which earned him a scowl from the young woman. Ayako checked over her thought Mai protested at being treated so fragile. Getting up from the ground Mai said,

"I'm fine. I guess I just panicked a little when I remembered what happened."

Everyone immediately sobered at the mention of the incident causing Mai to feel a little bad about bringing it up at all. She sighed lightly as they made their way towards the entrance and the doors opened instantly as Takiha rushed out looking worriedly at Mai. Once he was infront of them he began to fret over Mai as he asked,

"Taniyama-san! Daijobu desu ka?"

Mai smiled warmly at the older man and said kindly, "Daijobu, Takiha-san. Do not worry about me."

Takiha seemed to have relaxed a little at her words but as he guided them back into the mansion he continued to cast worried glances at her. When they finally reached the base he bowed low as they went in but not before stopping Mai and saying,

"Onegai, Taniyama-san. If you need anything do not hesitate to ask. You are so much like Yukari-sama that I will do what I can to help make sure you are well."

Mai blushed lightly before bowing towards Takiha and saying, "Arigato gozaimasu, Takiha-san. You are too kind."

As she watched the older man walk away Mai thought about what he said, when he said that she was like Yukari. Suddenly, pieces began to fall into place as the connection between all the girls became clear. Mai rushed into the base and everyone looked up at her questioningly but she didn't pay attention to the annoyed look Naru shot at her. Her eyes were wide as she said,

"The link between all those girls! I've figured it out!"

Naru frowned as he stepped closer to Mai and asked, "What are you talking about Mai?"

Mai shook her head as she began to speak and said,

"I didn't think there was one in the beginning. But now I just realized it after what Takiha-san said. He said I was like Yukari-san. This means that Yukari-san was most likely like the girl who died here before her and the girl before her and so on. We're all alike because of one thing."

Mai watched as they all tried to piece together what she had in that one moment but she could tell they weren't getting it and Mai realized it was because they had never really met Mari without her being twisted. Shaking her head slightly exasperated she said,

"We all had some defiance in us. Whether it was towards him or someone else. We all had our own opinions and we were all in lo-"

Mai shut her mouth quickly with a loud click as she stopped herself from saying what she almost admitted. They all looked at her questioningly before Naru said,

"It makes sense. I had been speaking with the maids and they said that Yukari-san was quiet but recently she had been voicing her opinions a lot more. Yukori-san had wanted to sell the house and get a smaller home but Yukari-san had disagreed and voiced her disagreement. I'm sure if we look into the other girls that died here we will see that pattern also."

Naru looked at Mai and for a moment she froze under his intense gaze before he smirked and said, "And Mai is constantly disobeying my orders."

She glared at him and opened her mouth to retort when there was a scream that made them all freeze. Images from when the demon had her flashed through Mai's mind and she shut her eyes tightly as she tried to banish the images from her mind. She hadn't realized she was hyperventilating until hands grabbed her shoulders and she was looking into Yasuhara's eyes. Everyone looked at her worriedly except Lin and Naru who were looking at her passively but she could tell from their eyes they were a little concerned. She gave them all a shaky smile and said,

"I'm fine. We should go see what that was about."

Everyone suddenly remembered about that and they began to rush out the room. When Mai was about to walk out a hand grabbed her arm making her freeze before relaxing as the hand turned her and then she was looking into Naru's dark gaze. She winced a little before he said,

"You're staying here, Mai."

Mai frowned and shook her head beginning, "But-"

"Stay! You gave your word, Mai."

She pouted before looking away from his dark gaze and sighing heavily as she said, "Fine, I'll stay here."

He let her go and nodded his head but Mai never saw the look of relief cross his face since her face was turned away from him. However, as soon as it came it went and he was walking out the door with Lin who spared her a sympathetic look before he closed the door behind him. Mai made her way towards the monitors and paced infront of them restlessly as she looked at them from time to time as she waited for them to come back. She didn't understand what was taking them so long after twenty minutes had passed and she was beginning to debate whether or not she should keep her word when the door to the base swung open and the whole gang walked in. She noticed something was up the moment she saw their faces. Naru and Lin wore the same expressionless masks as always but the others weren't the same. Masako and John were in shock and their faces were pale, Bou had his head bowed so his bangs were covering his eyes and Ayako was wringing her hands together furiously as she looked at them and Yasuhara had a blank look in his eyes. Mai felt herself go on high alert as she looked at them all questioningly before she asked,

"What's going on? What happened?"

Naru didn't look at her when he said, "We found Imani-san…She's dead."

Mai felt everything collapse around her but before she lost her saneness she took a few deep breaths and closed her eyes. Her deep breaths came quickly as another panic attack tried to take over but she soon was able to push it back before she asked,

"Where? Where was she found?"

This time Yasuhara answered her as he said monotonously, "In the cellar."

Mai bit her lip to keep the bile down before she nodded her head but they weren't done Masako stepped forward as she said,

"That's not all. There was a message next to her body."

Mai frowned but before she could ask Bou said quietly, "The message was for you."

Ayako nodded her head and Mai asked carefully, "What did it say? What did he say?"

Everyone seemed to hesitate this time before Naru said, "'Welcome home, Mari.'"

Mai suddenly felt like throwing up but before she could she collapsed into a chair and said breathing a little harshly, "We have to stop this. We have to end this now, today. He thinks this is some sick game. It's not a game. People are dying because of him."

Everyone, except Lin and Naru, looked at her for a moment as though seeing her for the first time before Lin said,

"We need to perform an exorcism. It's the only way."

Naru nodded his head in agreement before he said, "We'll get everything ready and start it later tonight. Since Mai's back he should have no problem showing himself now. He's already back to his old tricks since Mai stepped back into the mansion."

Everyone nodded in agreement though Mai suddenly had a very bad feeling about the whole plan though she didn't know why. She bit her lip as she watched them get everything ready before she slipped away towards the second floor and her bedroom. The moment her head hit the pillow Mai slipped away into a deep sleep.

My eyes were slow to open but I didn't really mind as I looked around me. It was my usual dreamscape, I noticed as I looked around. The lights were floating all around me as they met the ground but I noticed one thing was different.

I wasn't scared and I wasn't calm. I was excited.

Something was going to happen. Something I wanted for so long and it was going to happen now, at this moment. I could just feel it as my body hummed with anticipation. I sat there for a long time before I felt a presence approach from behind. The presence was warm and loving, just like it had always been each time I had a glimpse in my recent dreams.

I didn't dare look.

I didn't dare breath.

I didn't dare bat an eye.

I waited with baited breath as the presence began to move around me to come infront. As the person walked around from the corner of my eyes I began to make out the appearance. Silvery white ballet slippers cradled small crème colored skinned feet that were connected to the same crème colored skinned legs that were partially covered by a longish pale peach dress that flared at the bottom slightly. As the person stopped infront of me I found my eyes slowly trailing up. The dressed hugged the person's curves just right and had an elegant look about it. As my eyes met hers I felt all the breath I had been holding rush out of me as my cinnamon colored eyes met warm green ones. She looked better than she had when I had last seen her in the hospital. She looked like her old self, like when father had been alive. I got up slowly, scared that I would wake from this dream too soon like all the rest. Her long brown hair was so similar to mine but it had traces of red in it unlike mine. I remembered I looked most like my father like she had always said. I sometime used to think, no I still thought, that's what had made my mother so sick. Having to look at me and having to see my father, ending up with her heart breaking more and more every day.

She must have sensed what I was thinking because she drew me towards her until I was wrapped up in her arms and in a warm embrace. Suddenly, before I realized it I was crying and pleading her not to leave me. I vaguely heard her soft murmured words of love and reassurance but I continued to cry. It wasn't too long before I calmed down and we were both sitting down next to each other. Suddenly, something clicked and I looked at my mother as I asked,

"Okasan? Why are you here?"

She looked at me lovingly before she said in a melodic voice I still remembered so well from when I was younger,

"The same reason Gene-kun is here and its what every parent does, they look after their children. Just as your dream guide Gene looks after you."

I frowned before asking, "Aren't you at peace?"

I watched as her eyes darkened slightly before she said, "Oto-san and I are both at peace Mai but there are something's that can't be explained yet."

I suddenly became confused at her words but her eyes lightened up in amusement at my confusion before she smiled at me. Stroking my cheek she said,

"Wake up, Mai-chan. That handsome young man is trying to wake you."

I blushed knowing exactly who my mother was talking about. I suddenly felt a little panicked and she shook her head as she said,

"This wont be the last time you see me, Mai-chan. We have so much more to talk about. Especially about the things that have been forgotten and other things that had been hidden."

I hesitated slightly partially in confusion before I nodded my head in agreement and hugged her tightly. She returned the tight hug and we held on before she pulled away slightly and kissed my forehead gently. I still felt her arms around me as she stepped away and returned the way she came and this time I felt the grief hit me like waves on a beach.

Mai's eyes snapped open when she felt someone shake her a little roughly. Her eyes met blue ones and without thinking she launched herself into the person's chest as she cried.

"Go get her something to drink so she can calm down."

She heard faintly as warm arms hesitantly wrapped around her somewhat small shoulders. Slowly, as the feeling of safety washed over her Mai's tears calmed down until the only sign she had been crying was her tear stained face and her raggedy breath. However, she didn't let go if the person embracing her until she smelled the tea and the person, who she realized was Naru, leaned away from her a bit to look at her face. Mai's breath hitched slightly at being so close to his face but it was pushed back when another wave of grief hit her hard. Suddenly, Naru handed her a warm cup of tea and Mai took it in her trembling hands, finally letting go of him and he of her. As she blew on the tea she looked up and realized that they weren't alone as Lin, Bou and Ayako were also there in the room watching her worriedly. Mai took a few sips of the tea and slowly began to relax as her breathing grew less raggedy. Naru noticed the change and he asked softly but firmly,

"What did you see, Mai?"

Mai suddenly realized she had never told Naru that his brother was back and apparently her dream guide. Then her mind flashed back to why she was grieving and she bit her lip a little harshly. Her eyes began to water as she shook her head mutely and Naru frowned in confusion. Mai opened her mouth for a moment to say something before closing it only to open it again. Her voice was soft as she said,

"It wasn't what I saw not exactly anyway."

Ayako stepped over to the girl and sat on the other side of her, opposite to Naru and laid a hand on Mai's shoulder. Softly she asked,

"What do you mean Mai?"

Mai bit her lip again as her eyes watered more but she swallowed the lump in her throat and blinked away her tears. She took a deep shuddering breath but jumped a little startled when she felt a warm hand on her and she looked to see Naru looking at her. Ayako had a gentle hand on Mai's shoulder, Naru had a hand on her hand, Lin had a comforting hand on her opposite shoulder while Bou laid a gentle hand on her head. Mai couldn't help but sense the love they all had for her. Closing her eyes and steeling herself Mai opened them slowly and said softly,

"It was my mother."

Mai could feel all of them tense slightly before Bou asked carefully, "You dreamed about something involving your mother?"

Mai shook her head and looked down at her hands, realizing Naru still held one of them gently. As though sensing her gaze on their hands Naru squeezed it gently and Mai couldn't help the warmth that spread through her a little. Steeling herself again Mai said,

"No nothing like that though I wish it was. Naru…Remember…Remember I told you Gene was guiding me through my dreams? That his spirit was with me in them?"

Mai didn't look at his face but she felt his grip on her hand tighten slightly as he said in the same emotionless voice as always, "Yes…"

Mai nodded her head before she said, "He's still in my dreams. He said they sent him back since he's my dream guide."

She stole a glance at Naru and saw the thoughtful look in his eyes before he asked, "What does this have to do with your mother, Mai? What's wrong? Why are you changing the subject?"

Mai bit her lip as she looked back down at her lap this time instead of her hands before she took a deep breath and said, "Since this case has started…I've seen my mother in my dreams…but its not only that…She's come back…She's like Gene but she'd not my dream guide."

Naru looked at her for a moment before asking, "You were just talking to her…?"

Mai's eyes watered again and she nodded her head as she tried to keep the tears at bay while everyone in the room tried to comfort her. After a few moments Mai got her bearings together and she said,

"Let's just get this over with please. I want to leave this place as soon as I can."

They all nodded in agreement as they got up from around her and she slipped out of bed. She washed her face in the bathroom before they headed towards the base and met with everyone. Mai examined the symbols drawn into the floor with chalk and the candles on certain points of the symbols before Naru said,

"We'll need the lights dimmed a bit and I need everyone to step back some. Especially you, Mai."

Mai looked at him and nodded her head as her gut twisted uneasily. She was suddenly having a very bad feeling about doing this and she just hoped no one was hurt while doing this. John dimmed the light so that the candles illuminated the room with a soft glow that flickered from time to time. She moved away from the symbols a little as Naru and Lin stepped towards it along with Bou, Ayako and John. Mai stood by Masako and Yasuhara as they watched everything begin to unfold. Lin began to chant softly in a different dialect and after a few seconds the candle's flames began to flicker ominously as time stretched out. Mai felt her heart beat faster and faster as a figure began to mold into shape in the middle of the symbols. She tried taking deep breaths but images began to flash through her mind of what it had done to her as it dragged her through the house crying and screaming. It had almost killed her and she was sure it would try to kill her again if it was allowed to. Suddenly, the flames on the candles flared drastically and crimson eyes were seen on the dark form as it looked around the room it was in until it locked onto Mai. Just as it was about to lunge for her John began reading from the bible and Ayako along with Bou began to chant. Naru's eyes narrowed at the thrashing creature infront of him and he hissed out coldly,

"Leave here Aki or else be destroyed completely."

There was an enraged snarl from the demon as it trashed more and more before it suddenly lunged out the symbols, throwing itself at Naru. Knocking him to the ground it raised a clawed hand to attack but Mai's cry stopped it only for it to lunge at her. She was slammed against the wall by it with its clawed hand around her neck. It squeezed more and more as it said coaxingly,

"You're mine, Mari. Only mine. Not right, it's not right. My blood only."

Mai clawed at its hand, barely noticing as Bou and John chanted faster and more furious as they tried to get rid of the demon. Ayako had stopped to help Naru and Lin while Masako was out cold with Yasuhara trying to revive her. Mai opened her mouth a few times before finally choking out what she wanted to say,

"My name is not…Mari. My name is Mai. I will never be Mari."

She watched as its eyes flashed dangerously and its hand tightened on her neck more but she still choked out,

"I don't care what you say! I'm…Mai! I will…love…who I want…when I want…because I want…You can't control me…It's not wrong. I'm not Mari and I will love him."

Suddenly, the demon cried out angrily and just when Mai thought she was going to die it let her go and staggered back. Mai could hear the sounds of furious wings flapping as she coughed and tried to catch her breath. She didn't notice the glow covering her body and she didn't notice the smoke that seemed to rise off its body as it looked around in horror. Suddenly, it screamed terribly and they all looked to see it fade from sight as it flamed up. The glow around Mai was gone and the flapping sounds Mai had heard had disappeared when the demon did. Slowly the flames from the candle glowed brightly but in a comforting light as small golden lights filled the room. Four of the orbs of lights separated themselves from the rest and approached a tired Mai. The orbs formed four human figures, all of which Mai recognized with a sense of peace and joy. Mari was leaning against her father who had an arm around her shoulder while next to them holding hands were Imani and Yukari. They smiled at Mai and she smiled back as she said,

"All had their own opinions and all had someone they supposedly shouldn't love. You Mari were in love with your father and you Yukari-san…You and Imani-san were in love, am I right?"

Yukari smiled apologetically at Mai as well as Imani while they both nodded and everyone listened as Yukari spoke up. Hesitantly, she said in a soft voice,

"Imani and I were in love from the moment she came to work for us. I never did have the guts to tell my sister because I feared what she would do or think. I love my sister dearly and I would never want her to think badly of me. Imani loved Takiha like a grandfather and she didn't want him to think badly of her. We feared that if this house was sold then we would no longer be able to see each other. Imani was the reason I had begun to open up and began to voice my opinion. She changed me in the best way possible. When I died…She was the one Takiha heard crying in my room. She would sneak in there and cry, blaming herself for something that was not her fault."

Mai nodded before looking back at Imani and she said, "Then you were killed also…"

Imani smiled sadly and nodded her head before Mari shrugged her shoulders as she said, "It was all a price to pay to be with the one we truly loved. I just wonder how long it's going to take you to fess up, Mai-chan."

Mari grinned cheekily at the blushing young women and Mari's father chuckled lightly before he looked back towards the other glowing orbs that were beginning to fade. Turning back towards the girls he said,

"We should be going now. We've stayed here long enough and we're no longer prisoners here. None of us are twisted anymore."

Mai nodded her head as she looked at them and smiled warmly as she said, "You're right. Have fun and may your love last eternally."

They smiled warmly at her in return before saying in unison, "And may yours last for eternity as well Mai Taniyama. We wish you well."

Soon they were fading back in to the orbs and disappearing along with rest of the golden glowing orbs. Mai looked back towards the door and saw Takiha along with Yukori, standing there crying silently. Mai cast them a sympathetic look before looking back towards the group and saw that they were all transfixed upon the light show. Mai closed her eyes and took a deep breath, wandering silently if any of them had heard her statement about love.

Mai couldn't help the relief that filled her as she packed the last of the equipment into the van. It had been a day since the incident where they got rid of the demon and freed the spirits in the house, solving Yukori's sister's murder. They had all crashed immediately and Mai was thankful for the dreamless sleep this time around instead of her usual dream filled one. All the business had been taken care of and Yukori as well as Takiha were a little disappointed at the fact they were leaving already. Mai was just a little relieved no one had asked her about what she and the spirits had been talking about and that no one had mentioned the incident in the bedroom about her mother. Mai still was trying to process the fact that her mother would no be visiting her like Gene had been. Though she shouldn't really be surprised considering even before she realized that her mother had been visiting Mai in her dreams. Mai massaged her head just as the gang came out of the truck, well most of the gang. Naru, Lin and Masako had stayed outside with her. She and Lin had been packing while Naru and (mostly) Masako had been talking but Mai didn't really mind. Bou tousled her hair good-naturedly as he passed her and hopped in Ayako's car. Ayako hugged Mai tightly and told the girl to call if she ever needed something, especially if it was medical connected. John had excused himself earlier in the morning saying he had gotten a call from Austria while Yasuhara also had to leave early that morning. He had said something about needing to research something knew and needing to study for something else that he didn't understand. Mai watched for a moment at Ayako and Bou drove off before she turned back to the van and shut the back doors. Naru looked up and nodded his head when he saw all the equipment was packed. With a short, clipped,

"Let's go."

He slipped into the front seat and Lin slipped into the driver's seat hastily. Mai and Masako looked at each other and rolled their eyes before Masako slipped into the back seat. Mai was about to slip in next to her when the hairs on the back of her neck stood on end and she froze not liking the feeling. She looked around until something caught her eyes from the corner and she turned her head to the side. Staring right at her with eerie gold eyes was a raven with blue black feathers. Mai shivered as she suddenly remembered the dream from when she had died and the raven had been there. Then the dreams following about the sound of wings. Mai took a deep breath just as it cawed making her jump before it flew away in a familiar flurry of feathers. Three feathers dropped from it and she picked it up unconsciously before shaking her head and slipping inside the van. She looked back one more time to where it had been before pushing it to the farthest corner of her mind where she wouldn't have to deal with it.

Only a little longer Mai…

~Owari~

A/N- Wow this was actually a pretty long chapter. It was 21 pages long! Not the longest chapter I've written but at least it's a goof amount. Hope you all enjoyed the chapter and I'd like to hear what everyone had to say. Sorry it took so long to get out but its out and it's a good size chapter so it makes up for it, ne? Anyway I'll see you in the next chapter named Mad Hatter Part 1: Off with her head

Preview!

Mai's eyes were opened wide in horror as well as her mouth as she tried to scream but nothing came out as she looked at the corpse in horror. Suddenly, someone turned her away from the scene but the image was burned deep into her mind. What made matters worse…Something wanted her to see that. Something led her straight to that corpse in hope that she would find it and feel that same fear and horror she was now feeling. Mai vaguely registered someone talking and she realized that Bou was pressing her against his chest so she wouldn't try to turn and see it. Not that she would want or need to since the image was burned into her mind.

"She was beheaded…The slice was clean…which means this wasn't done by someone's bare hands."

Naru's cool emotionless voice echoed in her head conjuring the image into her mind again. It was like it was taunting her but something else caught Mai's attention. Something that suddenly made her feel very uneasy. Next to the body, soaked in all the victim's blood was a single feather that was unmistakable. It was a raven's feather. Written in blood across the wall just above the feather was a message and it said,

One that was led

Off with her head

Mad Hatter strikes

Her head is what he likes

As a hat I shall wear

Her head is only fair