Disclaimer: - I do not own Ghost Hunt
* MAI POV *
I could hear crying, it was the type of crying that broke your heart just listening to it, tears that told a story without someone having to tell you their problem, cries that made you want to do anything to stop them from escaping.
I knew who was crying before I even reached the small curled up body of Akemi. I paused to check my surroundings but when I didn't notice anyone I stepped closer. Sobs and cries were shaking her small body and it made tears fall from my own eyes. Instead of the usual darkness this dream was surrounded in white with pale pink, green and orange orbs circling us. At least I think they were orbs, they looked like fairies if I was being truthful.
I cocked my head to the side and stared at one of them as it flew passed me before gasping. It was indeed a fairy, the body was a pale blue that emanated a light of it.
I blinked shocked and slowly spun in a circle to take them all in "this" I opened my mouth and tried to find ways to express my shock "this is impossible".
Akemi lifted her head to look at me and I looked back sympathetically "it's possible" I blinked at her and she nodded her head "this is my dream world, anything I want can be possible here". I just stood there and blinked at her.
She sighed before moving her body to face me and patted the floor next to her. I hesitantly walked up and sat down. "You have a dream world as well, it's kind of like where you have your visions". I nodded and thought about the dark place where I always meet Gene before having my visions then frowned.
"How come yours looks like this and mine looks . . . well it looks rather depressing to be honest" Akemi nodded in understanding "and how do you know so much your like six years old" she grimaced at me and stuck her nose in the air.
"I may look six but I have been dead for exactly 100 years now" I narrowed my eyes in thought then nodded.
"Yeah I can see, your eyes are more wise, it's like you've seen so many things that someone so young shouldn't have seen."
She smiled at me and nodded "well done, you're starting to understand the little things". I smiled slightly but thought about whether that was a complement or an offence.
I watched the flying fairies in awe "can I do this in my dream world?" Akemi nodded and glanced warmly at her flying friends.
"You will be able to" she turned to stare at me with a serious expression "but you have to remember".
I blinked at her confused "remember what?"
She turned back to staring at her fairies and whispered "your past Mai, you have to remember your past" I felt a sharp pain on my stomach and gasped.
"I'm not sure I want to Akemi, I don't think I'm brave enough to remember what truly happened" I bit my lip and avoided looking at her.
I noticed the corner of her mouth tilt up "your already part way there Mai, there's no stopping it now"
I sighed suddenly feeling tired and we sat in silence for what felt like hours "why haven't you moved on Akemi? If it's been so long"
I heard her start to cry again and glanced at her sharply "I'm sorry I didn't mean to pry, it's just it would help me to understand why you can't move on" she nodded slightly and pulled her into a hug.
With tears running down her face and sobs shaking her body she looked so young that I couldn't help but think of her as a child. I didn't expect a reply but I felt slightly relieved that it was the reply I thought she would give.
"I want to see my Mother again, that's why we are both still here" she pulled away and looked up at me "Mai please take me to my Mother . . . for some reason I can't sense her, I always seem to miss her" she took a deep breath to stop more tears from falling "I . . . I'm not sure I can see her with Tsuyoshi here, he needs to some how move on".
We both sat holding each other and thinking before I nodded "I'll find a way Akemi, just make sure you come when I call for you".
She sighed in relief and smiled up at me "thank you and good luck . . . be extra careful he seems to have taken a disliking to you and we know what he does if you get in the way of his plans" she sliced a finger across her throat and pulled a face.
I nodded and stood up "I'll help! I just need to somehow find your Mother without him there".
I felt sleep tug on the back of my mind and yawned loudly covering it up with the back of my right hand.
With another big yawn I felt myself fade into my own dreams.
"Mai"
"Mai wake up"
I stirred and sat up rubbing my eyes "Mai you do know that if Naru catches you sleeping on the job . . ." I cut Bou-san off before he could carry on.
"yeah, yeah I know" I frowned and looked up at him "I don't ever remember falling asleep".
I ran a hand through my hair pleased that it didn't have knots and stood up "what have we got to do now?"
Bou-san shook his head slightly but I could still see a hint of worry in his eyes "we've got to check the temperature in the stage area, Ayako is coming with us and Madoka and Yasu should be back within the next ten minutes with information."
I nodded "should we stay here until we have the information from them?" he shook his head just as Ayako came through the Base doors.
"Come on you two the sooner we get the temperatures the sooner we understand what's going on with this place" I sighed frustrated but followed them both out knowing that what they were saying made sense.
We passed Naru speaking to his parents on our way to the theatre. I walked past but was stopped by Naru's arm snaking around my waist. I leaned back into him and he kissed my cheek before whispering "be careful" I nodded and pulled away. I had to run to catch up to Ayako and Bou-san but I heard Mrs Davies squeak "cute" in delight and Naru say "Mother" under his breath.
I giggled to myself and Ayako turned around curiously "so . . . you and Naru seem to be getting along great lately". I felt myself blush and nodded, one of Bou-sans eyebrows rose up "hmmmm".
I looked at him curiously "what's the matter Bou-san?" he shook his head and smiled.
"Nothing Mai, I just hope you're happy" I smiled at him gratefully and sunddenly felt emotional.
"Bou-san, Ayako, I will always feel happy when I'm around my family. You are both the parents I never got keep" I looked at the floor and bit my lip "it was horrible, being apart from everyone for so long . . . I felt like I wasn't going to make it any longer and then to suddenly have this reason to come home. I can't help be slightly grateful to that man for pushing me to come home but . . . I hate him too much to ever feel that bit grateful towards him". I didn't realise we had stopped until I was pulled into a hug by them both.
"Mai" Ayako whispered in my ear. I looked up at her and smiled warmly at them both, I felt them both kiss me each on a cheek and give me another hug before pulling away.
Bou-san ruffled my hair up and I pouted "Bou-san!" he laughed and I tried to make my long hair and bangs presentable. I playfully stalked off and Bou-san ran to catch up to me. I punched him in the arm and he whined making me laugh. Just as he was about to give me a bone crushing bear hug I heard a huge smack and bit my lip to stop laughing as Bou-san playfully cried whilst rubbing the back of his head. Ayako had once again knocked a brain cell out of his head.
I laughed as they both argued; yes it was defiantly good to be home with family again. They both were still arguing as we entered the theatre. I hadn't noticed the beautiful images on the high ceiling when I had first entered the stage area so I now looked up at them in awe.
"Wow" I whispered to myself, the ceiling was full of images of men and woman dressed in old fashioned clothes all the colours of the paintings were bright and they made me feel happy. I looked to my right to the stage and slowly walked up to the stage.
The theatre was truly beautiful, I stood in middle of the stage and gazed around as Ayako and Monk took the temperatures. They seemed to be in deep discussion over something. I bit my lip and looked back to the empty audience seats, I took a deep breath and began to sing quietly to myself.
(A'N this song is Kate Winslet – what if. It's kind of what Mai feels like about leaving Naru, you know the whole being forced to go to England and leave him thing)
Here I stand alone
With this weight upon my heart
And it will not go away
In my head I keep on looking back
Right back to the start
Wondering what it was that made you change
Well I tried
But I had to draw the line
And still this question keeps on spinning in my mind
I unconsciously began to sing louder and closed my eyes not noticing that Ayako and Bou-san had stopped talking and were now staring at me in awe.
What if I had never let you go
Would you be the man I used to know
If I'd stayed
If you'd tried
If we could only turn back time
But I guess we'll never know
Many roads to take
Some to joy
Some to heart-ache
Anyone can lose their way
And if I said that we could turn it back
Right back to the start
Would you take the chance and make the change
I was so in to the song that I didn't notice Naru and his parents walk in and stand watching me in shock.
Do you think how it would have been sometimes
Do you pray that I'd never left your side
What if I had never let you go
Would you be the man I used to know
If I'd stayed
If you'd tried
If we could only turn back time
But I guess we'll never know
Nor did I notice the ghost of Yuna smiling softly at me from one of the audience seats.
If only we could turn the hands of time
If I could take it back would you still be mine
'Cos I tried
But I had to draw the line
And still this question keeps on spinning in my mind
and I really didn't notice Tsuyoshi glaring at me from the back of the stage.
What if I had never let you go
Would you be the man I used to know
What if I had never walked away
'Cos I still love you more than I can say
If I'd stayed
If you'd tried
If we could only turn back time
But I guess we'll never know
We'll never know
I smiled and opened my eyes, blushing when I noticed Bou-san and Ayako staring at me.
I glanced down at the floor "what?"
I heard them coughing and splutter out words but I didn't expect what was said.
"That was beautiful" my gaze snapped up and I looked at Naru wide eyed. Oh god! He had heard me sing. I gulped and felt myself go even redder, if that was even possible. He was staring back at me wide eyed and I bit the inside of my cheek.
"I agree" I gasped and looked down at Yuna before smiling.
"Yuna" she disappeared from her chair in the audience and reappeared in front of me.
She smiled "have you ever thought of becoming a professional singer my dear because you defiantly have the vocals." I shook my head quickly.
"oh no! I couldn't it was just a hobby I took up whilst in England. There wasn't much I could do there so I took up music for a hobby" something seemed to sparkle in Yuna's eyes and I looked around for help.
"That's some hobby you've got there" I gasped and spun around. I stumbled back and hit the floor looking up into the expressionless face of Tsuyoshi.
I heard my name being shouted from all different areas of the theatre and glanced behind me. They were all running towards me, I stood up and started to run to them then froze as they all flew back smacking into different walls. I stared at them frozen with fear, they were still hung in mid air and they started making choking sounds and gripping at something invisible at their throats.
I glanced from Ayako to Bou-san then Naru and his parents they were all starting to turn red. My breathing was coming faster with adrenalin and I tried to think of what to do. The doors re-opened and everyone else came running in only to be met with the same fate as everyone else, stuck being choked in mid air.
I felt tears silently fall down my face and I spun around "stop it!"
When he didn't stop I stepped closer to him and growled "stop".
He still didn't stop and I could feel myself getting angrier "you are a bully Tsuyoshi and bullies don't deserve to go to heaven!" he laughed menacingly at me and I screamed "stop it now".
At first I didn't think he was going to but then I felt the air around me grow thicker and a wind that seemed to come from no where made my hair fly around my face.
I glared at Tsuyoshi as he stared back at me in shock. My hands turned to fists and I took a step closer to him feeling smug when he stumbled backwards.
I could still hear my friends being choked and it made me angrier, I knew what I had to do. I wasn't sure how I knew but I held my right fist out towards Tsuyoshi with my palm up and slowly opened the fist. Nothing happened at first and just as Tsuyoshi smirked he screamed in pain.
He glared at me and I returned it "let them go!"
He took a step towards me and growled "no"
I growled back in frustration and anger then turned my palm to face him. He screamed again and went flying backwards. I heard thumps behind me and spun back around. All my friends were on the floor groaning and rubbing there necks, I let out a sigh of relief and turned to Yuna.
"You need to move on with Akemi" she glanced at me shocked then looked worriedly to where Tsuyoshi was starting to stand up.
"Akemi! You need to get here now" I whispered urgently hoping she would come as Tsuyoshi took a step towards me and Yuna. I felt a ripple of air next to me and glanced down. Akemi was clinging to my arm in fear as she watched Tsuyoshi. I knelt down beside her and made her look at me.
"Please move on now Akemi, your Mother will be with you every step of the way" I pointed to Yuna who was looking at Akemi with such Motherly affection I just had to look away. Akemi nodded at me and ran to her Mother.
"Mummy!"
"Oh, my baby girl, my sweet baby girl" I glanced worriedly at Tsuyoshi who was stalking towards us.
"erm . . . ladies it would be better if you both left as soon as possible". They screamed as they noticed Tsuyoshi so close. He was only three feet away.
Yuna picked up Akemi and held her tight before looking at me with wide eyes "thank you Mai, I . . . we can't thank you enough" I just nodded not taking my eyes of the angry ghost. They started to glow and I felt the minute their spirits left this world. I let out a sigh of relief before turning around and running for my life.
Naru was running towards me and I heard Lin's whistle which meant his Shiki were about to save the day. I ran into Naru's arms as Tsuyoshi screamed in rage and pain. Naru's arms tightened around my waist as he dragged me away from the angry ghost. Once we had reached everyone else Naru started his orders.
"Lin will your Shiki be able to hold him?" he had to shout over the noise of the theatre chairs being thrown everywhere.
Lin listened to something none of us could hear then grimaced "not for long" he pulled Madoka out of the way just as a chair flew to where she had been standing.
Naru nodded once then turned to Bou-san "Monk, John can you both get rid of him whilst he's held in place" they nodded and stepped forward.
John-san began throwing holy water over the angry spirit who screamed in rage and started reading from his bible, meanwhile Bou-san was chanting and making slashes and symbols with his hands. The chairs were so close to hitting them both that I held my breath in fear. I couldn't run to help them because Naru had a death grip around my waist.
His grip tightened as Tsuyoshi laughed manically whilst looking straight at me. I felt everyone take a step closer to me as though they could shield me from him. He laughed even more and shouted "Little, little Mai you can never escape your past, He's coming for you! There won't be an escape for you this time" I gripped Naru's shirt in fear and buried my face in it so I wouldn't have to see Tsuyoshi's manic face.
He was laughing again and I could feel my self shake with tears and fear "Mailina (A/N pronounced MAY-LEE-NA) do you remember your name yet?"
"Stop it" there was no way he could hear my whisper over the noise but I still had to say it. Naru tightened his arms around me and kissed the top of my head.
"Ignore him Mai" I knew I should listen to Naru but Tsuyoshi's next words sent a cold tingle down my spine and my heart stop.
"Do you remember your parents yet Mai? Do you remember what happened to them? Do you remember how they died for you? They're dead because of you" He laughed again and I spun around to face him.
"Stop it!" I screamed the loudest I have ever screamed before and everything went quiet. The chairs stopped flying, Tsuyoshi stopped laughing but was watching me instead and everyone else was watching me as I shook with fear, anger and sadness. I could feel the tears sliding down my face and I pushed myself out of Naru's grip and took a couple of steps closer to Tsuyoshi.
"Just stop" I whispered staring at him "just go! You have failed. Yuna and Akemi are safe, you can still find happiness you know" he growled and spat in my direction.
"You can't escape little Mailina . . . Shi is coming for you" everyone gasped and glared at Tsuyoshi.
"Death may be coming for me but that doesn't mean he will succeed in getting me" I smiled at him "goodbye Tsuyoshi, don't say I didn't try to help you". John-san and Bou-san started chanting again and Tsuyoshi screamed in pain before slowly disappearing.
Everyone was quiet and unsure of what to say. I didn't dare look back at them. I didn't want to see the sympathy or fear in their faces, I had enough of that of my own.
Some one cleared there throat and wiped the tears from my cheeks. I wasn't sure who took my arm and pulled me out of the theatre "case closed, lets head to the hotel for some rest before we go home". Everyone nodded and I let myself be pulled out to Lin's car where I sat with Naru until SPR's equipment was in the back. Madoka and Luella sat next to Lin on the front seat whilst I was put in between Martin and Naru.
I just new the ride home would be a quiet one. This case might have closed but another one was open. What did Tsuyoshi mean? How did he know about my parents and what exactly did he know? How come he new things I couldn't even remember?
There were too many questions running through my mind and no one around whom new the answers. I leaned my head on Naru's shoulder who was reading and holding my hand. As I leant my head on his shoulder he squeezed my hand and I squeezed it back while staring out of the window screen.
I was suddenly glad that my boyfriend was some one who doesn't talk much because at this moment I didn't want to talk to anyone. They all had tried of course but I just stared into space lost in my own thoughts or my own dream world as Akemi had called it.
Please read and review :)
Tell me what you think of this chapter? Of the case?
And to Becca I hope this chapter doesn't disappoint you and don't worry I shall be sure to add more jealousy from Naru . . . just wait until a lad tries to speak to Mai with Naru around :) won't that be fun haha
Again I repeat PLEASE READ THEN REVIEW!