Disclaimer: Do not own Ghost Hunt

Chapter 5: Bairn part 3

The room that they were given looked like any regular room that the inn has, except for maybe it's a bit bigger and the fact that it was connected to the last room, which was decided where the girls would sleep in. The doors were sliding and tatami mats were sprawled on the floor, there were even paintings, that were much like the ones that was on the lobby and hallways of the inn, that adorned the walls of the room. There were many extension cords and sockets that were at a long table at the right side of the room, a couch and coffee table and four more wooden chairs on the other side that seemed a little out of place in the Japanese interior.

"Please call me if you need something." Takahashi said in a way that seemed to address everyone in the room. But as he was closing the door he caught Mai's eyes and winked at her.

Mai just rolled her eyes when the door closed. The others were just sniggering, except for the two stoic men.

"Looks like our sweet little Mai is popular." Takigawa chirruped while putting his arms around Mai's shoulders, which is quite easy since Mai's growth spurt, before he could only lean on her by putting his arms on Mai's head. However, it looks like Mai doesn't appreciate being leaned on. So she got out of Takigawa's arms and approached Naru, who was talking in a hushed voice with Lin, looked at Mai.

"Boss, what are we going to do now?" Mai asked, wanting to divert the attention away from her.

Yasuhara snickered, knowing what Mai really wanted, "No, no Mai-chan, you're the boss because Naru-chan is the BIG boss."

Naru just stared, and then sighed "Yasuhara, Mai, Lin and I will bring the equipment while Bou-san and John will do a walkthrough on the second floor, Matsuzaki-san and Hara-san on this wing – east and then the west wing see if you can feel anything."

11:45 am

The equipment had been set up and they were waiting for the members of the team that went and did a walkthrough, Lin and Naru sat in front of the monitors at their swivel (computer) chairs while Mai and Yasuhara sat the couch, the base's door slid open and revealed the rest of the SPR team. Yasuhara stood up to give space for the two women so they could sit at the couch and sat at one of the remaining wooden chair that was unoccupied by the other two male members of the team. As soon as they are situated at their seats, Naru started.

"Talk" said Naru, ever so direct that Mai just sighed thinking 'Jerk, at least he should allocate a little of his brain to be conscious of his manners.'

"There's nothing I've felt throughout the walkthrough." said John.

Everyone turned to Masako, "I felt something but it is so faint that it's as if it isn't there." she said slightly furrowing her brows while the sleeves her kimono was placed in front of her lips.

"It seems that were quite in the dark here. Yasuhara go to the local library and research whatever the history of this inn and its lands-" whatever Naru was going to say was cut off with the door opening and the entrance of the young Inukami.

"Lunch is ready; if you have finished setting up you may follow me to the dining room." Takashi said.

Naru glared at the intruder and continued as if nothing happened. "Yasuhara find whatever you can on the location and any other information that may be relevant to the case - you know the drill." he then placed his gaze to the man that interrupted him. "Lin and I will stay here at the base while you may have your lunch, Inukami-san if possible-" once again Takashi had interrupted him.

"Takashi is fine, after all there's three Inukami's in this household, its better so that there's no confusion to whom you are referring to."

Naru pinched the bridge of his nose, a common sight for the SPR members but not a welcome one, since it means that their boss is just keeping a tight hold of his irritation.

"Takashi-san can you lead us to the dining area we are famished. And Shibuya-san was going to ask whether it is possible that you gather all the people that had experienced any paranormal activity." Mai interrupted with a smile, not wanting an oblivious person to receive the Narcissus' sharp tongue.

Takashi smiled, a flirty kind of smile, at Mai "It will be my pleasure." he then slid the door open and began to lead the SPR on the journey to the dining room.

John went first and gave an awkward smile at Mai. Then Masako and Ayako who both patted her shoulder, the former gave her a nod a sleeve of her kimono still placed in front of her lips. While to someone who doesn't know the medium that well, seems that it is just a casual form of goodbye, Mai knows her well – too well; her eyes were twinkling with mischief and she is sure that the reason why she places her sleeves at her mouth is so that she could hide her smirk. And the latter openly showed her amusement by sniggering. They then followed the young Inukami to the dining room.

Takigawa was laughing loudly and Yasuhara said "Nice save Mai-chan; you saved him from the wrath of the big boss but in the process I think you'll be the one who'll be in need of saving though I think it'll be a different kind of trouble."

Mai groaned, "Does he think I'm flirting with him?" Yasu then proceeded to laugh loudly and if it was even possible Bou-san laughed more, and is now clutching at his stomach.

Naru coughed to catch their attention, neither of the three noticed that they were the only one sitting at the chairs and couch, and he then raised an eyebrow at them and turned his heel to the direction where the other members of the team are already at, with Lin in tow.

Mai blew air to her hair in frustration 'I don't know why but that quirk of his eyebrow seemed like he was mocking me or something, who am I kidding he probably is.'

"Let's go." Mai said, the other two had reigned on their mirth and was now standing up to start their journey to the dining room so she did the same motion and followed the two.

They were walking down the hallways, Takigawa and Yasuhara was in front of Mai while the two stoic men were not for away from them, as they reached the reception where the two wings (east and west) of the inn met, the brunette didn't know why but she was strangely drawn towards the front door before she slowly walked to the door, eyes glazed, her right arm stretched as if wanting to grab something.

"Mai?" Yasuhara called and turned around not finding her behind him, they were just two doors away from the dining room, and they could already hear the chatter of their other team mates. That caught the other two's attention and turned to face the bespectacled teen.

"Yasuhara, is there something wrong?" Naru asked.

"Mai is not here, the last time I checked she was following us." Takigawa answered, now worried for his unofficial adopted daughter.

"Where have you last seen her?"

"Before we reached the reception area." was Yasuhara's brisk answer before he dashed to the direction where they came from.

In seconds, without much deliberation, the three men followed the teen. All of them equally worried for the danger magnet of the team.

Just as she was a good four or five feet from the door, a voice snapped her out of reverie.

"Mai!" Yasuhara shouted relieved, and then puzzled when the said girl jolted.

Mai blinked rapidly at her outstretched hand and at the door then looked at her left and right before turning her full attention to the voice that called her. There he stood - no they stood, Monk and Yasuhara were giving her disbelieving looks while Naru gave her a 'we're going to talk about this later' look and Lin just shrugged since he knew Naru will handle this accordingly - sometimes even to the point that will be 'over the top' – and then gave Mai a sympathetic nod.

"Let's talk about this later, but for now, we'll head to the dining room and have our lunch." Naru said with finality.

This time around, their trip to the dining room were uneventful, which may be due to the fact that this time, even though Lin and Naru were still leading the other two – Takigawa and Yasuhara are following Mai. The said brunette is now in a box-like barrier around her, "To prevent her from wondering like a lost child" as Naru termed it. Mai huffed in annoyance, but when she saw the door of the room she almost screamed 'salvation'.

When they entered the room, Mai was already hastily making her way to the empty seat beside Ayako but was stopped when a hand grabbed her left arm and dragged her, the brunette looked who the culprit was and saw who it is: Naru

"Hey, why are you dragging me? I want to sit next to Ayako!" Mai whined, but it just fell into deaf ears of the SPR President.

"To make sure you don't wander off." was his swift reply before he stopped at the other side of the table – facing John, Masako, Ayako and Takigawa – who claimed the seat after Mai 'abandoned' it.

Mai huffed, but did not say anything, not wanting to start another argument. She was sat between Yasuhara and Naru while the ever silent Lin sat beside him. The meal was silent, except for some constant chatter, almost nearing the end of the meal – but not yet finished – Mai's vision got cloudy, when that happened she proceeded to place her utensils at the table, but her vision focused in and out, so instead of the table her chopsticks fell to the floor creating a clattering sound.

As soon as it happened, all of the members' eyes were on her – instantly alert. She swayed right then left before she almost fell off her seat sideways to her left, if not for the narcissist who was next to her the next time you'll see her it would be on the floor.

The last thing that Mai heard was the various voices that called her name.

"Mai, Mai." Naru called still holding her. The others were still standing dumbstruck and looking at Mai while she was still being held by Naru, but as he realized what happened Yasuhara stood up and then kneeled next to him and lightly tapped Mai's cheeks then announced "There's no use Naru, she'd been she'll just wake up once her dream is finished."

Yasuhara was going to take Mai from Naru so that he can bring her to their room but was stopped when Naru hauled Mai in his arms. He's not sure whether the reason that Naru took it upon himself to carry Mai was because he didn't see his intention to carry her or Naru precisely saw his intention and that is exactly why he did it, but Yasu wanted to think it was the latter.

When Mai was properly situated in his arms he proceeded to carry her to the direction of the door before stopping "Once you are finished return to the base immediately." he stated firmly without looking at their direction.

After that he was out of the room with Lin in tow.

Mai sat in the familiar inky black surroundings of her dream and then different colored globs of light began to float upwards, and for some reason a voice that she had come to rely on, told her to look behind her – so she stood up and then looked behind her.

He then saw him, a familiar silhouette clothed in black that it was almost impossible to discern his clothing to his surroundings and to add it off his hair was also raven black which made it even harder, but Mai knew him well but not as well as his counterpart, who was probably mad at her for sleeping in the job – though she's not technically sleeping in the job since they were eating when she lost consciousness, but still.

"Gene!" Mai shouted still shocked that someone she hadn't seen for two years would show up now. She took in his appearance, how he looked four years younger than his twin and his eyes were a shade lighter of blue – which is not much but Mai could discern it even from a distance. She was now feeling more of an idiot that she turned blind eyed at the qualities that was so glaringly obvious now that she paid attention and not be a bubbling mess for the first time since they have met.

"It's nice to finally hear you call me by my name." he said as he was now in front of her.

"You are the one who didn't tell me your real name, so don't go use it against me."

Gene chuckled and then teased "Whoa, you have gotten feistier Mai, be careful of boys they like feisty girls."

"I never knew you are a bully." and then she mumbled "Feisty? I call it 'I don't want to talk to you so don't talk to me'" but Gene still heard it.

"So you've been having those huh?"

She just rolled her eyes, with the way their conversation is going she won't learn a thing before she woke up and the result will be a very pissed off Naru. "Why are you still here? You should've moved on when Naru found your body." Although she was curious about the answer, she was more worried for the older twin.

"I don't know either, but I think I still have to guide you before your powers go haywire. By the way have you ever told anyone about this? You know yourself that it is growing but did you know that rate it is going your body is having a hard time coping up." Gene scolded her as if she were a child. All traces of the playful Gene were gone.

Mai looked sheepish, "Yasu knows, but I really don't know whether I should tell the others. I don't want to burden them or anything."

Gene's expression softened and then grabbed her shoulders "Mai, you won't burden them with anything, it would even disheartened them more if you kept it a secret, and what if something happened to you due to your powers that they didn't know of? They would blame theirselves for not noticing it."

Mai looked at him – with new found respect – she knew even before, that it was a wish of hers to have known Gene or even just meet him when he was alive. But now that wish got stronger, she now wished to be his friend and maybe if she was, he'll still be alive. But she pushed those aside, she knows that there's nothing she could do about it and that Gene wouldn't like it if she thought of it that way. "I will, but not now. I'll feel it if it's the right time to do so. Right now I don't think it is the right time." Mai said with all the determination she could muster, and it was the truth – she wouldn't even have said it to Yasu but he already had caught her red handed so she didn't had a choice – for some reason something is holding her back, that something was going to happen and that her family would be safer if they knew little. She knew that she should find a way to keep what Yasu knows as it is because it would be better.

Gene just nodded, satisfied, he knows that more than anything they were alike – putting other people first before themselves, sadly that was also one of the reasons why he's not with his brother anymore. And that if she feels that she shouldn't then she shouldn't tell them, his intuition isn't as strong as Mai's but he also feels the same.

"Come Mai, our time is running out. There isn't much to see but it'll come in place sooner or later." Gene said before Mai was surrounded with blinding light.

Mai adjusted her eyes to the brightness and saw a house; it was not the inn that they were staying at. It was a modest sized house fit for a family of four and judging by its exterior Mai could tell it was from way before the inn was made – it would be at least seventy or more years before the inn – and judging the lack of houses that was around it she had a feeling she was right. There were an abundance of trees around her and the ground was not yet cemented and there were flower beds that beautifully lined the front of the house.

The door slid open and revealed a woman wearing a plain peach colored kimono, she was beautiful her hair was silky black and her eyes were black but unlike her hair her eyes it was like the color of a black pearl. She was smaller than Mai maybe just an inch taller than Masako, but the thing that caught most of her attention was her stomach. It was apparent that she was 'expecting'. The woman grabbed a broom and began to sweep the fallen leaves that were on the yard, then a voice then reached her ears.

"Aiko, where are you? I told you not to move too much. You're due this month." The voice called, apparently the woman named 'Aiko' also heard it so she turned to the direction of the door as it revealed an equally handsome man who's height was like Yasuhara's, his hair was like the woman silky black but the thing that caught Mai's attention was his eyes, they were brownish green – it was almost green. But the thing that would really see in those eyes would be the love he feels for Aiko to the point that the color of his eyes pale in comparison to the shine that love brought in his eyes.

The man walked to Aiko and took the broom out of her hands, walked away and leaned it against the wall. Aiko huffed, turned around and pouted, the man laughed and hugged her from behind caressing her stomach. "Don't be mad, I'm just being careful, and what if you stayed mad at me and when the baby came out he'll also be mad at me?" the man whined like a little child, it should be awkward seeing a full grown man acting like that but Mai strangely though it was cute, and she weren't the only one since Aiko giggled.

"Who would have the heart to hate someone like you? I love you Hiro" she said and then turned on his arms, put her arms around his neck and lowered his face to hers, and proceeded to kiss him. 'Hiro' kissed her back putting all his love on that kiss, – if that was possible – and pulled her closer to him while still being careful of her stomach.

Mai looked away, blushing, as the kiss turned heated. The scene was so heartwarming that Mai didn't want to think about what happened to them if they were the one haunting the inn. Then her surroundings faded until the only thing left was the inky blackness and the globs of lights that were floating upwards.

"Gene, I don't understand? It was such a beautiful memory, how can that turn into something horrible like it is now?" Mai cried to Gene.

The Davis twin just shook his head, "You'll understand it when the time comes." he cryptically said, touched her forehead then he pushed her backwards.

Mai woke up with a jolt.