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. Neither do I own the Song Still Doll from Vampire Knight

Authors Note! Hi everyone! Thanks for all your reviews! Your thoughts and opinions were absolutely encouraging and appreciated. I hope the story will stay to all of your likings. I would like to apologize for how long this has taken to post. I had it done for a while but I've had some internet issues. I forgot to pay my internet bill and it's a little hard for me at the moment money wise so it took me a while to pay the bill. Then it took a few days for the payment to reach the place it needed to go so that also added to everything. I am sincerely sorry for the wait. Now that all of that is out the way I'll let you get to the story.

Bou-Monk

Hōshō- pronounced Ho-u-sho-u

Miko-priestess usually a shrine priestess

Shiki/Shikigami-spirits under an onmyouji command

Ohayo-Morning

Hime-princess

Okasan-Mother

Oto-san-Father

Dream

Spirit speak

Flashback

"Blah" character talking

'Blah' character thoughts

Gone But Never Forgotten

Chapter 6- Mad Hatter Part 1: Off With Her head

I could hear my blood rushing in my ears as my heart beat sped up creating a roaring sound in them. I was panicking; there was something here, someone here. I was sitting at the end of a long table that was filled with teacups and teapots. There was a patched up stuffed bunny that was old and had buttons as eyes. When I opened the top of a teapot I screamed in horror at what I saw. Inside the teapot was a dead mouse dressed up in a small dress coat. Something told me to look down and when I did I noticed I was in a powder blue dress. I didn't remember changing into this dress when I went to bed that night, hell I didn't even remember falling to sleep. This scenery was familiar but strange to me for some reason. Suddenly, there was a cruel laugh and hands encircled my throat, squeezing it roughly. Someone from behind me was choking me as they chanted in my ear,

"Off with her head, off with her head. The Red Queen has demanded it."

I couldn't see who was choking me though as I struggled to turn and see the person I was shaken a bit roughly as though being threatened to not move. I clawed at their hands desperately as I felt my sight begin to fade and my mind begin to shut down, tears rolling from my eyes. I was unable to breath because of the lack of air getting into my lungs as the grip began to tighten around my neck. Suddenly, a sharp shrill noise pierced the scene.

Mai jolted up straight in her bed as she gasped for breath. Tears streamed down her face as her body trembled with the fear that still coursed through her. She raised her hand to her throat and winced as it throbbed painfully. She was about to get up to look at it when a shrill noise from next to her made Mai start. She looked at her night table and saw the screen lit up with the phone moving around slightly at the vibrations so she grabbed the cell phone. It was the phone Naru had insisted on buying her since she was always getting into trouble. He got it right after their last case with the demon that almost killed her. He had insisted that she was to use it no mater how sever the danger was. Mai shook herself from her thoughts when the phone rang shrilling again and looked at the caller ID to see that it was Naru's name flashing on the screen. Yawning, Mai flipped the phone open and said not bothering with formalities,

"What is it, Naru?"

She glanced at the clock by her bed and frowned when the red flashing lights showed 1:30 am. "Get dressed, Mai. Pack a suitcase also, we have a case."

Mai opened her mouth to protest but the tell tale click told her Naru hung up on her without another word. He had probably known she was going to try and protest so instead of humoring her he had hung up quickly. Mai glared at the phone for a moment before she sighed heavily, wincing when her throat throbbed even more painfully. She had been trying to ignore the pain when she had been speaking on the phone with Naru. Shaking her head Mai slipped off her bed and grabbed whatever clothing was near her. She hadn't heard anything about Naru taking a case yesterday so Mai could only guess he had taken it only moments before calling her. She always found it extremely annoying when he decided to do things like that because he never found it necessary to fill her in on anything until they were at the place. On top of that he always found it necessary to argue with her about every little thing that she found he could of done differently, such as taking a case without telling her she'd have to wake up practically in the middle of the night. It drove her mad when he did that though as she finished getting dressed she found this time was a time she was glad his call had woken her. She still remembered Lin's words about if she died in a dream she died in real life and Mai was pretty sure that, that dream was one of those dreams. As she began to prepare her suitcase and some food for her the dream began to fade from her mind. She hummed a tune softly as she waited for them to pick her up as she got ready and just when she was going to sit down after finishing some cereal off her cell went off. Picking it up Naru's voice came over it as he said,

"If you're ready come downstairs, if not…Do hurry up. You are wasting time."

Without another word he once again hung up the phone to leave her glaring at it. Mai closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths before she growled out,

"Why the hell do I love him again?"

Shaking her head she sighed and grabbed her suitcase before locking up her home and exiting it. When she got near the van she noticed to figures standing by it and she recognized them easily. She glared heatedly at Naru while Lin took her bags from her and she was able to cross her arms over her chest as she glared at him. He arched an eyebrow at her in moderate disinterest and she felt herself seethe as she opened her mouth to tell him off but he beat her to speaking when he said,

"Well it seems you actually made it on time, Mai. Well done, its about time."

Without letting another word cross he turned around and slipped into the van leaving Mai there to stand for a moment. Closing her eyes Mai felt her temper boil as she yelled,

"Naru y-you-you! Narcissistic Workaholic!"

She got into the van behind him and slammed the door shut never noticing the slight quirk of his lips upward before they took off. Beside her sat John and Ayako, both of whom had begun to wake after she slammed the door shut in her anger. She looked at both of them sheepishly and said quietly,

"Ooops. Sorry Ayako, John."

John gave her a tired smile before Ayako hugged her tightly and said, "Its okay, Mai-chan. With that narcissistic jerk I would be surprised if you didn't get mad."

Mai giggled as Naru glared at Ayako through the rearview mirror and the older woman merely smirked smugly at him. He chose to lessen his glare to a bored stare and arch an eyebrow at her which seemed enough to irritate the woman as she began glaring at him while he maintained a smug smirk. Mai couldn't help but shake her head at how the exchange had totally flipped in a matter of seconds. She yawned tiredly and caught the concerned glance Ayako shot towards her but she merely smiled reassuringly before she asked,

"Where are the others? Or are we the only ones?"

Naru sighed heavily as he pinched the bridge of his nose but instead of him answering John said,

"Takigawa-san is driving over to the home on his own since he lives a ways away. However, Osamu-kun has some important matters to attend to so he will be helping us from afar and Hara-san is busy with a case that was scheduled for her. Neither can make it for this case."

Mai took in all John said before sighing and nodding her head. She always felt so incomplete when the whole group wasn't there but she was used to the hectic schedule they all had. Sometimes John couldn't make it, other times Bou or Ayako but the only constants that were there were she, Naru and Lin. That was one constant Mai found she always depended upon, she realized she would not know what to do if that constant was taken away from her. She pushed those thoughts from her head as she began to feel herself doze off little by little. Yawning, she was startled slightly when Ayako laid a hand on her shoulder and said,

"Get some rest, Mai-chan. It will be a while before we get to where we're going."

It was then that Mai realized she had no idea where they were going but she was already falling asleep. As her eyes closed she tried to form the question with her lips but it was like her body wasn't cooperating with her and wanted to do its own thing. Slowly her eyes closed and her mind stilled before she once again slipped into the darkness of her dreams.

I was there again…That strange, terrifying place…

I wanted out…I needed out…

Every nerve in my body was screaming at me to RUN…

Screaming at me to do SOMETHING…

But I couldn't move, I couldn't breath, I couldn't even scream…

Just when I began to think I was alone I heard that same voice, but this times it was different. This time it wasn't harsh or loud…

It was soft…Low…crazed…

But I heard every word as the person said,

"On the other side of the looking glass there lies a different world. A world filled with White and Red Queens and Twiddle-Dee's as well as Twiddle-Dum's. There in that world there is always a tea party where the three beings always have fun. The mouse in the tea pot always seems drunk, the scruffy old rabbit always drinking from a different teacup but lets not forget the most important of all. The magnificently deranged Hatter, Mad Hatter in fact."

Suddenly I could remember it, the story with all clarity. It was of a girl in blue called Alice falling down a hole in a tree while she was following a white rabbit. There was a red queen that insisted on cutting peoples heads off who disobeyed or displeased with her. There were also various other characters in the story including the Mad Hatter, Twiddle-Dee and Twiddle-Dum, Cheshire Cat, the caterpillar and so many more. I remember vaguely my mother reading it to me as a child and father was right beside me in bed. The memory was faint but I could remember it and it was a surprise. It was then that I realized the voice was no longer speaking and the fear began to spike up. It was when I was about to turn that I found out where the person was. Cold, cold breath was trailing over my neck and it was coming in almost deep breaths as though they wanted me to feel it. I felt my body begin to tremble with fear just as the person whispered in my ear,

"No, no, no. There's no running from the mad Mad Hatter."

Mai's eyes snapped open before she had to shut them again against the onslaught of light coming in through the van's windows. She opened them again when she felt herself prepared to face the coming light and stretched careful not to bump into the bodies beside her. Ayako and John where still asleep and when Mai looked she saw so was Naru. Stifling, a giggle Mai winced when her throat throbbed again but she pushed it to the back of her mind paying no heed to it. Looking around out the window she saw a familiar car trailing behind them and instantly knew that Bou had caught up to them. Looking back towards the front Mai locked eyes with Lin in the rear view mirror and she smiled warmly at him. She saw the slight nod of his head and was satisfied at his 'Good Morning' knowing she wouldn't get and politeness from her boss when he woke up. She sighed lightly before looking back out the window and examining it. They were moving through a small city, it was dawn so people were still asleep if not just waking up. However, Mai noticed that they were moving a little ways away from the city and this puzzled her. She started slightly when a soft, sleep laced voice said,

"Where we're going is a little farther from the city. It's at its boundaries."

Mai locked eyes with Naru's and found her breath catching at the sight she beheld. Even crumpled and half-asleep Naru still managed to look sexy to Mai as she looked over him. His dark hair was slightly mussed and his eyes were glossy with sleep while his pale pink full lips jutted slightly in sleepiness. His jacket was off and his shirt was unbuttoned a little, his sleeves rolled over his elbows and all his clothes somewhat rumpled from being in the car for so long. Even his voice was sexy, the sleep lacing it made it deep and husky almost baritone but not quite that deep. Mai swallowed thickly before she said softly,

"Where are we going exactly?"

Naru met her eyes from the rearview mirror before he said, "Osaka mental facility."

Mai felt her heart speed up and her ears begin to ring as those words registered in her head while her face paled slightly. She wasn't sure why but something about those words just made her body scream to turn around and run. Suddenly, she got a flash from the dream she had just had but before she could grasp it, it was gone. Naru seemed to have noticed this because he said her name questioningly in a soft voice,

"Mai? What is it?"

Mai took a deep breath and shook her head as she said weakly, "It's nothing…maybe just my nerves but I guess…I don't know I just have a really bad feeling about this."

Naru seemed to consider her words, he knew how keen Mai's instincts were, and they were after all psychic instincts. Though he was sure Mai didn't even realize that and he didn't want to freak her out by telling her that either. It had been enough when she found out about the advancement her astral projection had taken so he would take this one step at a time when it came to Mai. Pulling himself out of his thoughts Naru nodded his head slightly and said,

"We'll becareful. Make sure to keep your phone on you at all times, Mai…And call me if anything suspicious or dangerous happened…Got it?"

Mai opened her mouth to protest but the glare he sent her way reminded her off the way he had acted when she was being released out of the hospital in the last case. Sighing, Mai nodded her head and said,

"I got it, Naru. Crystal clear I got it."

Naru nodded his head, somewhat satisfied by her words before Ayako and John began to wake just as Naru's phone rang. He frowned when he looked down at it and saw the number before picking it up with some reluctance. A definite male voice spoke over the phone and Naru's face twisted into an annoyed scowl before he growled out,

"Takigawa-san, if you do not stop grumbling into my ears we will not stop at all. Now if you would please. Shut Up."

There was silence on the other end and Naru hit the end button before glancing back at Mai, Ayako and John who were all staring at him slightly amused. He glared at the three before reluctantly saying to Lin,

"Stop somewhere we can get breakfast…I would rather not continue to hear Takigawa-san's mouth for the rest of this trip."

Mai caught the twitch of Lin's lips upward before he nodded his head slightly and began to glance at the buildings they passed. Lin knew that no matter how much Naru tried to act as though he didn't care about the group or that they weren't anywhere near friends. It was the exact opposite, he cared about the group enough to risk his life for them and they were the closest things to friends the young man had. Noticing a breakfast diner Lin slowed down before turning into it just as Naru said,

"I suppose this will be necessary since I will be able to fill everyone in on the case. Less time to waste when we get to the facility."

Mai suddenly had the distinct feeling to hit Naru over the head as he looked pointedly at her while he said that but she kept her mouth shut as she glared at him heatedly. As Lin parked Mai jumped up the van much to Naru and Ayako's annoyance. Naru glared at her and Ayako cried out,

"Mai! What are you thinking jumping out of a moving vehicle? You could have gotten hurt!"

Mai sighed and said calmly, "The van was hardly moving at all. Besides even though it was moving Lin was only going at least 5mph. It wasn't that fast at all."

Ayako fixed her with a stern look but before she could say anything Mai was gathered up into a huge backbreaking hug as a deep voice cried out,

"Ohayo, Mai-Hime! How was your rest?"

Mai opened her mouth to say something but Bou's tight hug kept her unable to say anything. A sound 'thwap' followed by a loud cry as Mai was let go let her know Ayako had turned her attention to him and had hit him. Placing her hand on her hips Ayako glared at the monk as he held his head and glared at her before he cried out indignantly, "What was that for?"

"For being a hentai, hentai!"

As they began to bicker Mai sighed and said underneath her breath, "I wonder when they're just going to tell each other how they feel. They might as well get it over with already."

John chuckled next to her and she grinned but the two bickering adults had heard her and turned red as they whirled around towards Mai. "Mai!"

Putting her hand over her mouth she laughed and said, "Oops!"

Laughing she scurried away into the diner with John tagging behind her as the two adults tried to catch them with Lin and Naru shaking their heads as they followed. When the two entered the diner they found Ayako lecturing John as Bou gave Mai a noogy while she laughed. Naru's eyebrow twitched as he watched before sighed and snapping his black book shut, getting their attention immediately. They all looked at him as he arched and eyebrow before he said,

"You are attracting attention. We are at a public dining area."

The group blushed as they realized that they were infact causing a scene as they noticed all the eyes on them. Clearing his throat Bou straightened and let go of Mai as she straightened her clothes. Ayako folded her arms over her chest as she looked away from the group trying to fight down her blush while John looked at the ground somewhat shyly. Naru had to resist the urge to roll his eyes while Lin coughed hiding a chuckle at the whole group before a woman approached them. Smiling warmly at them she said,

"Will you be staying or taking out?"

Naru looked at her and said simply, "We'll be staying. Party of six."

The woman smiled and nodded her head before picking up six menus then motioning them to follow after her. She led them to a long table and set the menus down before saying,

"You're waiter will be Hana. If you need anything please let her know and she shall be with you in a few. Have a good day."

Turning she moved back towards the front door as a couple walked in and the group sat in their seats. Bou next to Ayako, John next to Ayako, Mai across from Bou, Lin next to her and Naru across from John next to Lin. The table was filled with Ayako and Bou's soft bickering and John's voice trying to get them to settle down as they all picked what they wanted. Mai's head snapped up when she heard a familiar line,

"Alice in Wonderland, Okasan!"

Mai got up from her seat, ignoring the questioning looks she was getting from her friends, and looked for the small feminine voice that uttered that sentence. Images started flashes to the forefront of her mind as she remembered snippets of her dreams.

"I want to see Alice, Okasan!"

Her head snapped to the left towards the sound, now she was ignoring their calls of her name as she spotted a small girl. She had familiar brown hair and the woman infront of her looked oddly familiar also. Someone was calling to her, demanding her attention but as she took a step towards the two figures the voice seemed to fade and all she could hear were these two people.

"But sweetheart you've only heard the story once and it wasn't even the whole story. Besides the people acting this aren't people that should be talked to."

"But Okasan, I love Alice. It's my favorite. It reminds me of the music box you gave me and the song it plays. It matches almost perfectly."

"Do you really want to see this play?"

"Hai! Absolutely Okasan!"

"Alright but we'll have to tell Oto-san, Okay Mai-chan?"

Suddenly, it felt like ice cold water was dumped on Mai as the little girl turned around and Mai met the smaller version of herself. She couldn't have been more than six but that was impossible. Her father had died when she was younger than that. Mai went rigid as once again every nerve in her body told her to run and the last thing she was conscious of was someone calling her name and a flutter of wings before her world went black.

There was a melody playing and it was somewhat haunting. It wasn't the same as the nursery rhyme. It was different, an actual song. Someone was singing it in the background but I realized I was singing it also. The words left my mouth with an easy flow as though I didn't have to think about it, as though I already knew it.

Hi miss Alice

What kind of dreams

Do you see

With your eyes of glass?

Do they fascinate you?

I opened my mouth to sing the next few verses but it felt like something slammed against my body and I was once again being choked. Something was over my eyes, it wouldn't let me see who was there but I could feel their body over me. I don't know when but I suppose when they slammed into me we fell to the floor. I could feel the body and I knew it was male he was at least middle aged if not older by the sound of his voice and his height. I tried categorizing and memorizing everything I could about the person as they choked me. They continuously muttered under their breath,

"Shouldn't have come Alice. Shouldn't have come. Red Queen wants little Alice gone. Red Queen needs Alice gone. Off with her head, off with her head she says."

My already throbbing throat erupted into pain as he squeezed tighter and my earlier thoughts of memorizing were forgotten while I clawed at his hands. I wanted him off, for Kami's sake I needed him off. I was going to die, I was terrified and I was going to die. As my struggles began to lessen I suddenly felt a very warm light and a hand touched my forehead as my eyes closed before my world once again was enveloped by darkness.

"What's with the bruises around her neck? What's happening?"

"Was it wise to take this case, Naru? Did you see the way she acted in the diner? It was like she was seeing something that wasn't there? Are her powers advancing again?"

"She's started breathing again, whatever was happening in that dream stopped thank heavens. I was terrified for a good few minutes. We should all relax and wait till she wakes."

"I agree with Brown-san. I think he's the only one to say anything sensible."

The conversation continued to assault Mai's brain as she tried to drag herself to consciousness while listening. She could tell the last person had been Naru and he hadn't sounded all too happy. She had learned to tell the slight changes in her boss's voice and what they meant. His voice was just a level colder and she knew that meant he was not a happy camper. Opening her mouth to take a gasp of breath Mai whimpered when a wave of pain emitted from the throat. It was only when she curled up to try to escape the pain that she realized she was on a bed. Opening her eyes she saw she was surrounded by the group, blinking a few times she tried opening her mouth again but a wave of pain came again and she shut it quickly. Ayako rushed off with a worried face before John and Takigawa began to help Mai sit up. Mai couldn't believe how weak she felt as she laid against the headboard of the bed looking down at her lap. She winced as her throat began to throb before she looked up when Naru said her name.

"Mai…Do me a favor and don't talk for the time being."

Mai gave him a puzzled look before Ayako came back with some water, a pen and a pad of paper. Mai took the water gratefully and drank it though it helped the pain a little the fact she had to swallow made her hand reach for her throat. The moment her fingers brushed against her throat she flinched and cool hands pulled her hand away from her throat. Mai looked up and saw Lin looking down at her, he had her hand in his deciding it was best to hold it incase she tried to reach for her throat again. She saw the glimmer of concern in his eyes as he tried to hide it but she had noticed it again. Mai's nose flared as she sighed heavily again, remembering everything that happened before taking the pad and pen from Ayako. She quickly jotted something down before she showed it to Naru and the group.

Did I almost die again?

Everyone looked slightly grim but they shook their heads as Naru said, "It was close but no…But you were gasping from breath and struggling…Were you being choked in the dream?"

Images flashed through Mai's mind and she had to close her eyes against them before she began to jot down again. Looking at what she wrote she slowly lifted it till they could read it,

Yes…This isn't the first time I've had that dream where I've been choked…I had it again right before you called me.

Naru frowned and Takigawa murmured, "That explains the bruises then." And Naru nodded his head absentmindedly as his eyes darkened and Mai knew he was thinking about something. Mai frowned however and began to write on the pad again.

What do you mean bruises?

Takigawa and Naru glanced at each other but it was Ayako that answered the question as she said slowly, "There were bruises around your neck. They were in the shape of a hand and they've gotten a little bigger. You want be able to talk for a while. I'm afraid your windpipe is bruised so its going to hurt to talk or breath for a little while. It's better if you don't cause to much strain so for a little don't talk. I'll let you know when its best, ok?"

Mai made an 'ok' sign before Naru asked, "Why didn't you tell me about your dreams? That you dreamed about all of this before the case even started?"

Mai gave him an annoyed look before she wrote down,

You called me in the middle of the night! I was half asleep so it slipped my mind and then the dream I had in the van I couldn't remember.

Naru frowned and asked, "You had a dream in the van?"

Mai's eyes dulled slightly as she nodded her head and her eyes went to her hands that were now folded in her lap. The group glanced at each other at the change in her demeanor before Naru took Lin's place and took Mai's hand but she didn't look up at him. He was quiet for a moment before he asked,

"What is it Mai? What happened?"

For a moment Mai was about to open her mouth to talk but his light squeeze of her hand reminded her not to and she began to write. She closed her eyes for a moment before sliding the pad towards him so he could read it.

The dream in the van I wasn't being choked. There was someone there in the dream and he was saying something. He called himself the Mad Hatter and it wasn't till then I realized why the dream was so familiar to me. The set-up, the names, everything. It was from the story 'Alice In Wonderland' from the 'Looking Glass storyline'.

She glanced at Naru and noticed a flare of recognition when he read the name of the story and Mai was surprised at that. She frowned and was about to ask about that when he handed the pad back and asked,

"What happened in the diner?"

Mai's eyes dulled again and she took the pad back as she began to write again. She bit the bottom of her lip gently as she kept the turmoil she felt at bay while she wrote.

It was a memory from when I was younger or at least I think it was. I was there, at that diner before but I must have gotten it mixed up or something.

John's voice was gentle as he realized the significance of what Mai was talking about. He laid a comforting hand on her shoulder and asked, "Why do you say that, Mai?"

She looked up at him with big wide eyes that sparkled with unshed tears before she wrote on the pad again.

The memory was of me and my mother when I was six years old and in the memory I'm saying I want to see Alice from Alice in Wonderland. My mother finally gives in but says I would have to ask my father too but

Naru noticed Mai's hesitance and frowned at it, he knew both of Mai's parents died when she was young, her father first then her mother. The only reason he knew that was because she had told them once at the Labyrinth case. He had tried to find out a little about her parents after that and her living arrangements but for some reason it was extremely difficult. Either something distracted him from what he was finding, something happened that prevented it or he came up at a dead end. Mai was an enigma to him and that greatly disturbed him, especially since Lin was the only one who knew where the girl lived and she refused to tell anyone else. Without thinking he tightened his hold on her hand and she took a shuddering breath at the unspoken comfort transferred from that movement before she continued writing.

But that should be impossible since my father died in a car accident when I was five. Maybe it was my feelings or memories getting jumbled together but I don't know. I feel like I've been in that diner before and I actually did have that conversation and I did have my father around at that time.

The room was quiet as they took in everything she had written before she looked up around the room and got a confused look on her face. Looking at everyone she jotted something down before she showed it to them.

Where are we?

Bou tousled her hair before Ayako said, "After you collapsed we got you into the van and rushed you to the facility. When you got here all of a sudden you started gasping for air and flaying around like you were fighting someone. The aids helped us get you into one of the rooms they prepared for us. Me and John stayed with you while Naru, Lin and Bou unpacked and set everything up."

Mai frowned and gave them a guilty look before she wrote down, Sorry I didn't help.

Ayako put her hands on her hips as she gave Mai a stern look when she said, "None of that, Mai. You shouldn't be sorry when you were being choked nearly to death."

Suddenly, something clicked in Mai's brain as she remembered her latest dream with the man calling himself Mad Hatter. She quickly began to write what she wanted to say down on the pad before showing Naru.

It was a man! The person in my dreams, the one choking me is a man. He's at least middle aged and he's somewhat tall. Almost Bou's height if not an inch or two taller. He called himself the Mad Hatter and he was referring to someone as the Red Queen. He called me Alice. He said I shouldn't have come. That the Red Queen wanted my head.

Bou smacked his forehead and groaned as John sighed slightly and said a slight prayer before Ayako said, "That's it. That makes this easy doesn't it Naru. She can't stay. Another spirit is after her death so she cant stay."

Naru frowned as he read what she wrote over before he looked up at Ayako and said, "Don't you think she'd be safer here with us watching her? After all this entity reached out to her in her own home"

Ayako paled and Mai could see the confliction in her eyes before she sighed and nodded her head as she said, "You're right but…But I just want her safe."

Mai smiled apologetically at her and laid and comforting hand on hers before she wrote, I'll becareful, I promise.

Mai grinned widely then and held up the hand that was in Naru's hand and wrote down, Beside I'll be with Naru the narcissist the whole time.

Naru glared at Mai and snatched his hand back but she swore she caught a bit of pink dusting his cheeks before it was gone. Ayako and Bou exchanged knowing grins while John and Lin just looked on amused at them all. The moment was broken when a soft knock on the door brought their attention to it and all eyes were on it while it opened. An elderly woman stepped into the room and smiled kindly at them all but Mai was caught by the woman's deep saphire eyes. There was something oddly familiar about the woman to Mai but she couldn't put her finger on it but the thought was pushed aside when the elderly woman's voice asked,

"Is the young woman doing well now?"

Mai caught the calculating look Naru gave the woman before he said standing up straight, "Yes she is doing quite well now. May I ask who I'm speaking to?"

The elderly woman laughed kindly and said, "That is so satisfying to hear that the young miss is doing well. My name is Bara Tomoe and I am one of three caretakers of this facility. The other two are Sakichi Kirara and Higurashi Honoka. Kirara-san is away at the moment, she had to visit another facility for a meeting with other head caretakers of facilities. Honoka-san and I are the only two here at the moment."

Mai frowned at the name Honoka as there was something oddly familiar about that name just as there was something oddly familiar about the woman infront of them. However, she once again pushed the thoughts out of her mind as everyone began to introduce themselves. She opened her mouth to introduce herself but Bou slapped his hand over her mouth and Ayako gave her a stern look as Naru resisted the urge to roll his eyes as he introduced her to the woman. The woman seemed to have found this highly amusing as she gazed intently at Mai before she said,

"I am guessing the little miss is unable to speak? Why is that?"

Everyone one in the room stiffened slightly and Mai pushed the pad that she wrote on under the covers while she used her other hand to pull up the collar of her shirt to hide the bruises, suddenly she was feeling uneasy under the woman's gaze. Naru stepped infront of her bed and in the woman's eyesight as he said,

"It seems that something she ate harmed her throat so she is unable to speak without irritating the wound. Our doctor says its best if for a little while she doesn't speak."

The woman hummed in acknowledgement before she asked, "Is there anything I could help you with for the time being?"

Naru nodded before he said, "Actually yes. If you are able we'd like to talk to all those who were attacked and to Higurashi-san."

The elderly woman nodded her head before she turned and walked out the room without a sound. Everyone in the room seemed to relax instantly and Bou said, "Now is it me or was that woman seriously suspicious?"

John nodded his head and said softly, "I am afraid I agree with Takigawa-san. There was something about that woman that just didn't sit right with me."

Naru frowned as he listened to them and to everyone's, except Naru and Mai's, surprise Lin said, "Do you remember what she said about Mai's condition? She said 'Satisfying' that is not something you usually say."

Naru nodded his head as he began to submerge himself into thought before Mai took out the pad and pen so she could write.

What is the case about?

Naru glanced at her but it was John that let her in because Naru again submerged himself into thought much to her annoyance. "For the past month there have been some unnerving activities in the facility. It was Sakichi-san that called us to ask for our help but it is a bit strange she did not tell us she would have to be leaving."

Naru grunted softly in agreement before he continued on for John and said, "Sakichi-san said that at first it was nothing but the patients saying they saw someone walking the halls but as the reports got more frequent more began to happen. Patients would begin to snap easily and they'd go into a craze and later the aids would find strange bruises or cuts on them. As that happened more often suddenly aids began to get attacked by what they said was a small girl in a pale blue powder dress. They said in her hand she carried a small beat up bunny that wore a vest and she had long blonde hair."

Mai's mind flashed back to the picture book her mother had showed her about Alice and realized the description matched perfectly. Mai shook her head and wrote frantically,

That matches the description of Alice perfectly!

Naru nodded his head before he said, "That's not all…They found two aids that had gone missing…Both were dead."

Mai swallowed thickly before Naru went into boss mode and began spouting orders at everyone. "Takigawa-san, go to the left wing and gather what you can about the girl entity. Matsuzaki-san, ask around about a tall male figure and see if anyone has ever seen him. Brown-san, begin blessing the points of interest please."

They nodded their heads and left before Mai took the chance to look around. She noticed all the computers and monitors and had a bad feeling about that before she wrote slowly on the pad,

Why is all of this in my room?

Naru arched an eyebrow before smirking as he said, "This is the base and you are going to be with me the whole time, aren't you?"

Mai blushed deeply before she glared at him as he walked away with his usual smirk on his face and once again Mai just wanted to knock him over the head. The only thing that stopped her from yelling out about him being a slave driving jerk was her throat that still throbbed from time to time to remind her of the pain she would be in if she even tried to speak. She sighed heavily through her nose causing it to flare as she watched Naru and Lin by the monitors and without realizing it she began to doze off. When her eyes snapped open again Mai looked around frantically noticing she was alone. Her face crumpled into a mask of confusion as she took in the room, she felt as though she had closed her eyes for only a few seconds but the empty room told other wise. Looking next to her she grabbed her phone and was surprised at the time. It was already almost night and she couldn't believe how long she had slept. She noticed someone had called and opened the phone to see it was Naru and he had left message. A small smile touched her lips before she played the message and Naru's familiar voice flowed into her awaiting ear.

"Mai, me and Lin had to check up on something Brown-san had asked us to look at. We shouldn't be gone for too long but I don't want you getting out the bed in your condition. Stay there and rest, we'll be back. Whatever you do don't leave that room Mai. Do not leave that room."

Mai rolled her eyes fondly as the message ended but she couldn't help letting the small smile on her face get a little bigger at Naru's words. His words sounded almost as though he cared and was worried about her condition but all those thoughts flew out her mind when the door to her room cracked open. Mai instantly noticed the change in temperature as she stared at the door in anticipation and just a little fear. Her breathing grew shallow before there was a soft laugh and the sound of running feet. Without thinking Mai jumped out of bed and ran out the room, surprised when she was in a long white hallway. She looked down both hallways alittle unnerved by all the white when there was the sound of flapping wings and she looked in time to see a flash of blue around the corner. Mai ran after the flash of blue and the sound of wings following it, her breath coming out painfully from her mouth but she pushed the pain down. When Mai turned another corner thinking she would finally catch who she was chasing, she immediately regretted it.

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 the entire 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

Mai trembled not caring how the group had found her or why she hadn't heard them coming up behind her. She was led back to the room by someone but she could see nothing but the feather in the middle of that blood and the bloody message. Flashes of blue and snippets of wings flapping crossed her mind as well just as she was led back into the room just as she collapsed into someone's arms. She clutched the person's shirt like it was a life line before she moved her mouth soundlessly. She could faintly hear Ayako's voice as she said,

"She's in shock, move her back towards the bed. We have to calm her down."

Mai felt herself being lifted bridal style but she kept mouthing the words that flooded into her mind at that moment. The words that had been haunting her dreams everyday since that first case when her powers advanced, that haunting rhyme. Closing her eyes as she felt the bed under her she didn't let go of the person's shirt and they were forced to sit on the bed and practically have her in their lap. Mai vaguely realized it was a male and the person was wearing a soft cologne that smelled of spice but underneath that the person smelled of rain and vanilla. Mai blinked owlishly as she began to register everything around her and what everyone was saying. Bou and Ayako were murmuring comforting words while John prayed softly, Naru who sounded strangely close was whispering soft commands for her to snap out of it and Lin was calling to her softly. Mai trembled lightly as her eyes closed for a moment before opening and looking up at the person who she had a hold of. She was startled to see icy blue eyes and a name instantly registered in Mai's mind to label the smell. Naru. Mai blushed furiously and quickly let go of him before her mind then registered the look in his eyes, it had been concern. However, when Mai looked back to see his eyes hand changed to a dark blue almost black color and Mai knew he was angry. She winced slightly at his angry look as he said in a deathly calm voice,

"What did you think you were doing? Didn't I say not to leave this room? And don't tell me you don't know what I'm talking about because I can see that the phone is moved from where I put it."

Mai bit her lip before she looked down at her hands and made a helpless gesture. A pad and pen where given to her and she gave a grateful look to Bou who just shook his head in exasperation. She could tell that Naru, Bou and Ayako were upset that she had left the room unprotected while John and Lin were just relieved she was alright. Mai quickly wrote down what had happened before showing it to them.

I'm sorry. I just don't know what came over me. I really was going to stay in bed and not move but suddenly my door opened and I could hear giggling. When I heard running feet its like I had to run after the sound. It was leading me over to that corpse and I think it's the girl in the powder blue dress.

Naru frowned before he sighed heavily and Mai could see all the anger rushing out of him. Mai knew she was forgiven in that instance but she couldn't help but feel a little guilty for worrying him, for worrying all of them. It was then she realized their close proximity and she blushed deeply again as she tried to pull away discreetly. He glanced at her and he was suddenly moving off the bed and away from her but Mai could have sworn she saw pink cross his cheeks again before he looked away from her. She watched him for a moment before Lin said,

"Naru? We're working with more than one spirit here."

Suddenly, Naru was all business and his eyes was sharp as he nodded his head while he said,

"That is correct. We'll have to be a lot more careful, especially you Mai. I want you to be careful when you dream and try to avoid anything that could…"

Naru trailed off but Mai understood what he meant completely as she nodded her head in agreement with a small smile. She had a feeling this case was going to be nothing like any of the other cases and that was what was worrying her.

~Owari~

A/N- I hope you all enjoyed this chappie! I'm putting twists to this and I'm kind of changing some things for Mai. You'll see where all this is leading to by the end of this story but I hope you all will like it. I apologize for how long its taken me to get this posted but because of the issue I mentioned above I couldn't get it out. It was awesome to hear from all of you and read your reviews. I hope you all keep enjoying the story. Next chapter is Mad Hatter Part 2: Welcome to the tea party