Disclaimer: I do NOT own Ghost Hunt. Wonderful and fantastic genius, Ono Fuyumi-sensei does.

[[HOUSE OF EVERGREEN]]

Episode 8: The Graveyard

At Masako's shocking words, which made everyone completely speechless, the first to reply is Bou-san.

"Well, that certainly isn't conveni—"

He can't finish his sentence as the earthquake shakes the ground. It's only a mild one, and stops after a while, like it was never there. Bou-san comments.

"Whoa, an earthquake? That was really quick."

"—It's not earthquake."

Naru states with a soft, but clear voice. We all look back at him curiously, so as a reply, he looks over at Yasuhara-san. He answers straightaway.

"Yes, I agree with Shibuya-san's conclusion… There were several cases of minor earthquakes quite often around this area, and a few larger-scale ones. However, the years of earthquake are all concentrated between the 1960s and to current date. In additional, this area has had barely a few minor earthquakes in the past, that is, before the 1960s, and according to the neighbours at nearby vicinity, they never felt any earthquakes."

"…So you're saying the earthquakes occurred because of supernatural phenomenon, and that the timeline matches with the disappearance of Chinami Amamiya, and she might be related to all these issues."

Bou-san joins in the conversation, and grins.

"Isn't that right, boy?"

"Yes, Takigawa-san."

Yasuhara-san grins back. Hey, hey, you guys smiling so smugly to each other looks kind of scary.

I think of their words. The earthquake since the 1960s that occurred only in this land and it is most likely be caused by China-san…? However, there is something in their words that just doesn't match… Something that doesn't fit… I try to work it out, but my brain simply fuses out.

"But…"

Masako raises her voice.

"Didn't Saiko-san say that Amamiya-san means any harm?"

"We don't know whether we can trust her."

Naru replies back as coldly as ever. Does he mean Saiko-san or China-san by her? But Saiko-san this morning… how defensive she was about China-san… and China-san just has a wish to fulfil…

"I agree with Masako."

I speak up. China-san smiled so beautifully in my dream. Evil people (or should I say spirits in this case?) can't smile like that. Not so beautifully. Not so painfully.

"I don't think China-san will cause any harm to people."

They all seem to ponder at my assertion. Ooh, are they agreeing with my intuition? I feel quite victorious that they didn't reject my statement. After thinking for a brief second, Naru frowns and raises his voice sharply.

"What… did you call her?"

"Eh? China-san…"

Oh, DANG!!! My dream! Yes, I had a dream!!! That was why! I didn't notice – he'd be all mad at me again! Before he opens his mouth again, the ground shakes again, however, very violently this time. Everyone simply loses balance, and collapses. Naru, who was luckily standing beside the fence surrounding the graveyard, holds onto it. Ayako clings on to it too.

"Well, if this is a spirit – what are we gonna do?!"

Ayako shouts out, projecting her voice so we can all hear from this sudden blast of ground shaking. Ground crumbles and rocks and pebbles fall everywhere uncontrollably. Everyone's now holding on to the fence as tightly as they can. Despite of this chaos, Naru replies calmly.

"Exorcism must be done… Can you do it, Takigawa-san?"

"Sure, I think I can."

Luckily, they were prepared for this, and Bou-san was already in his monk clothes. He launches straight into his Buddhist chant.

###

After about 10 minutes of chanting, there still is no sign of earthquake abating. Naru and Lin-san are watching Bou-san carefully (and somehow managing to stand up straight in this madness), Yasuhara-san is standing right next to them (and holding onto the fence), John with Yasuhara-san, and Masako is the furthest one away from me (while gracefully leaning on the fence), standing near Naru. Ayako is standing right next to me. She sighs.

"It doesn't look like it's working at all… he is an 'ex-monk' after all."

Then, I hear a voice.

'…I promise…'

"What?"

I thought I heard someone talking to me – to be precise, whispering into my ear – and turn back. There is no one. I turn back and hold on to the fence even more tightly. Then I hear it again. Still very soft, a faint, mesmerising voice, but everything is articulated very clearly. It calls me, burning with regret and worry, and makes a vow: I promise I'll return for you.

It makes me want to cry. I know what will happen next. Why is everything this way? I want to yell out "no", as loud as I can, hold onto you tightly, and never let you go. Never… Not again… I shift my body so I can follow that voice. So that we will never be apart again…

"Mai!!!"

Ayako stops me, grabbing my wrist tightly. Huh? Everything just then feels really blurry. I stare at Ayako blankly. She asks me with an anxious voice.

"Are you all right?"

I open my mouth to answer – to tell her that I'm fine – then hear one sharp, high-pitched scream.

"Masako?!"

It's sounds like Masako's voice. I can't see her, and she doesn't reply. I sense the danger, and instinctively let go of the fence that was retaining me in this chaos, to follow the direction of her voice.

"What's wrong?! MASAKO!!!"

I call her as loud as I can, but only fall over as the earthquake continues to fiercely shake the ground. Grasping the ground as hard as I can, I again call for Masako desperately. Ayako yells me.

"Mai! You're going to get hurt! Come back up!"

"Of course, but Masako is… Masako!"

I found her! There is a large sandpit in the middle of the ground. Where on earth did it come from? But that's not important now. Masako's in it, injured.

"I found Masako! I think she's hurt!"

At my voice, Yasuhara-san and John comes to help. Luckily that moment, the earthquake stops all of a sudden, and Yasuhara-san and John manages to carry out Masako from the pit. She fainted. Her face is pale, and her beautiful kimono has been soiled from all the dirt and sand. They check her breathing and pulses. They think it's nothing too serious, but it'll be better if she's hospitalised. I agree. Yasuhara-san volunteers to take her to the hospital.

###

All members of SPR are extremely quiet, because Naru was absolutely irritated from the incident this afternoon. He is aloof from all of us. Well, after all, he has a lot of pride. We didn't figure out whose spirit it was in that graveyard, or where it was, failed an exorcism, and one of our investigation members was injured.

"Here you go, tea!"

I give him a cup of tea just to break this silence, and hopefully, his sulkiness. A steaming black tea creates a scent of relief, easing my worries slightly. He hasn't been talking to me that whole afternoon. He was not even angry at the fact I didn't tell him about the dream I had about China-san. He just seems… detached. I try to smile at him, but I'm too nervous. He accepts it silently. As he drinks the tea, I stand there watching him, awkward and nervous. He raises his eyebrows, showing his annoyance.

"Is there anything you need?"

"Eh? N-no, I just, well, in case you need help…"

I try to explain. I just want to lighten up his mood, because he has been very moody so far during this case. I guess it might be because I (kind of) forced him into taking this case. But I never thought he would actually listen to me.

"No, it's fine. After all, this case is too complicated for an idiot like you to solve."

An idiot again?!

"Hey! I told you that I'm NOT an idiot!"

"An idiot is an idiot."

Hey… if you speak that way, I can't rebut anymore. For a second, a mild smile of amusement flickers on his face. My heart jumps. Maybe I actually lightened up his mood?

"H-hmph! I told you, I'm not an idiot, b-but, I'll be generous and let it pass for today!"

"Whatever you say."

With those words, he leaves the room with an empty cup of tea in my hands. The door closes behind him, with a soft, empty slam. My strong heartbeat gradually subsides. That annoying guy!!!

To be continued =]

Comment:

Wow, I'm really proud I managed to update this week! :D This part is really boring and dragging on and on and on… (1 or 2 more episodes till climax!) Sometimes I just want to stop writing. Sigh, yes, lack of persistence. But even though it is sometimes tiring to write out all these (especially when you're struggling with so much homework), all of your reviews, faves & alerts REALLY cheer me up and keep me going! Thank you so much! S2

By the way, if you want to see my drawing of Mai (I don't know why URLs don't work on this site), please visit Piko301 on deviantArt. Check out the first one – I think that one's better (It's colourful :P)