9:43 A.M.

Lancaster Castle

Mai Davis

Day 1

The last of the equipment had been brought in and set down quickly with a huff. I stepped away from it before Naru could change his mind of its location and quickly busied myself with some other task, looking for our rooms. The security guard was nice enough to let us stay in the guest homes, which weren't used very often. But at least they had working water.

And of course, the only reason why I was looking for the rooms was because Naru had put Monk, Ayako, and Yasu to work taking our luggage in.

And I was silly enough to let the kids help Naru set the equipment up.

I spotted Masako who looked pale and was leaning into John.

"There are so many spirits." She whispered behind her kimono.

I gently accepted her from John and gave her a tight squeeze on her shoulder.

"I know. Would you like to settle down in the rooms?"

She nodded her head and allowed me to guide her across the large grounds.

And of course, the guest houses that we were to stay in were not that large, but in one of the small houses, we managed to fit us six ladies in the rooms.

I was also relieved to find that Lucy had deceived us all, and didn't pack many bags as Ayako had.

But as soon as we hit the air conditioned rooms, Masako instantly released my arm and headed for her room that she shared with Ayako. Madoka and I shared a room, leaving Lucy and Jeanine alone to themselves.

I evaluated the rooms and found that there was nothing spectacular about them. Everything was a dull grey color. But I guess that was to be expected when we were dealing with a prison.

I could hear Ayako arguing with Monk, followed by a loud banging sound that I could only perceive as some of the luggage hitting the floor. I gave Masako a light touch on the shoulder.

"We're meeting in the conference room in about ten minutes. Do you want me to send one of the girls for you?"

She shook her head.

"No, I'll get John to take me there."

I nodded and wondered out into the entrance hall where I did find the trio making a ruckus. I cleared my throat and waited for them to notice me there. Yasu was the first one to notice before he opened his big mouth.

"Guys, we're meeting in the conference room soon." I reminded them carefully before I pushed past them and stepped out onto the open grounds, and then released the long sigh I had been holding in.

10:07 A.M.

"We need to make sure we are careful when we're investigating the prison cells." Naru spoke quickly and let some of the folders pass around. "The crown removed the prisoners that were in the same hall, but they're not all gone." He sounded not very thrilled at the fact, and I touched him slightly on the shoulder. He looked back at me and took a deep breath in.

"But fortunately, we will not be just in the prison cells all at once, because that would be too easy." Lin carried on for Naru. "They requested that we had a look around that entire wing and the dungeon, so our work will be cut out for us."

"Right. We'll need cameras set up in the dungeon, the stair well, the main hall way and of course, the tower."

"The tower?" Gavyn asked. "I don't remember you guys mentioning the tower before."

"Well son," Naru started. "It's because we weren't requested to do it at first. But there's been a sighting of a ghost who repeatedly jumps out of the window. There have been reports of something pushing it out, but it's a rare sighting."

Jeanine made a face at the same time Gavyn did. I knew they were having an inside conversation, even though they were sitting next to each other on the couch. Lucy was perched on the other side of Jeanine, and seemed to be comparing notes with her.

"So why are we investigating it?" Jeanine asked carefully.

"Because the ghost jumps only when a member of the Ministry of Justice is in the right position to be jumped on. It's the only way to the office."

"Right. So it's more of a pest than anything else." She summarized and began to write in the dark blue note book that she had.

"Exactly. And that's why we're going to give you the tower to conduct your own case0. Along with the office." Jeanine ceased her writing and looked up at Lin and Naru as Naru continued. "Papers start to fly and the staplers turn into lethal weapons on occasion. And then there's your usual knocking on the walls in some of the corridors."

I watched as Gavyn's and Jeanine's faces fell. There was a dark look shared and I knew that they were sharing angry words between each other. And I knew that look she was sending him. Poor Lucy shrank back into the couch with her notebook clutched close to her chest.

"What?"

Naru was quick to act, which was no surprise to anyone. He was in fact the one who saw it coming.

"It's safer by far. You three won't be in the prison, and it's not like I'll be leaving you alone. Lin, Madoka and Yasuhara will be with you as backups. That's a team."

Gavyn stood up slowly and stepped in front of his fuming sister. I watched as he locked eyes with Naru and made a quick decision.

"We'll work hard dad."

Lucy and Jeanine were quick to stand up and got ready to go.

"Well, we better get ready for our case." Jeanine said a bit coldly, and took off angrily.

Naru shot a look to Lin, who nodded silently and followed the three teenagers out the door. Madoka was not far behind them either. However, Yasuhara approached Naru with a puppy dog face.

"Why did you put me with the younger kids? What have I done to you to deserve this punishment?" He wailed dramatically.

Naru, straight faced, ignored him. I nudged Yasu and grinned as we whispered.

"It's so we can't plot against him again."

"But it gives me more of a chance to plot against your kids. That'll be entertaining!"

"Don't drive them up the wall Yasu." A low voice growled next to me.

My husband gently touched my elbow and sent a silent warning to Yasu.

"Oh Naru, dear!" He exclaimed. "How I have missed teasing you so! What am I to do without you?"

He let out a short sigh.

"Sit on top of the kids." He said seriously. "Monitor them please. I know they'll find a way into what we're working with."

Yasu saluted him seriously.

"Aye aye captain! I'll report as soon as possible!"

And like that, we watched him skip off. I turned to Naru and gave him a glare.

"You challenged the kids on purpose, didn't you?"

I was answered with a shrug.

A/N: Hello all! I wrote this on my way home from my trip! And let me tell you, you NEVER get too old for the zoo! I have to say, I loved the penguins and lions the most! The large male lion woke up, roared for a minute, (which was cool and scary!) and then flopped back down to sleep. But yes, the penguins were so darn cute that I had to pick up one for myself. Now, my beanie baby collection has added on with a fluffy penguin! :D I'm sorry, I know I'm a little excited. Anyways, I know this chapter was boring, and I do apologize for it. But it has to happen. I'd really hate to rush into things. I'm trying to pace myself. So I do hope you enjoy this, because I am! So, what is Yasu going to do now that he's been dubbed as the 'babysitter'? I do like input, and I'm very receptive to any ideas. I'll try to fulfill any requests that you guys might have!

Love,

Jazzy