Disclaimer: I do not own Ghost Hunt.
"I hate college."
"Hmm, why?"
"Because," Sayuri lifts her head to look up at the buildings they were walking past, "it just does for me. Which shouldn't be horrible for you. You should definitely go to college Mai."
"Even if I wanted to," Mai follows the group towards the dean's office, "how will I-"
"I'll pay for you. Full up too. You won't have to worry about tuition or books or anything like that! I'll take care of ya."
"Sayuri, you're just like a big sister or a mom. Thanks."
The two Japanese women continue to chat as the gang heads towards the administration office. Tsubaki smiles at how Sayuri and Mai bonded so well. It was sweet to see female companionship. Mai was so sweet and quite the character. She had explained the nickname 'Naru' she gave to Kazuya. Tsubaki rolled with laughter at that. She had a good feeling about Mai.
She just had to be the one for Noll.
Sayuri was also quite the character. Her novels had sent shivers down her spine, thus for her requesting more as Lin had sent book by book via mail for her to read. Tsubaki's collection of horror novels would make anyone's spine shiver. Her green eyes watch as the pretty grey eyed writer looks up briefly at Lin's backside.
Tsubaki recalls the emails from Lin about Sayuri.
Most of the letters she got were very subtle. Lin wasn't one to be emotional over anything. And that's how she love him. She grew up with him and the brothers. She learned to deal with his stoic nature. And he learned to deal with her bubbly one.
Her suspicious eyes glance at Lin looking over his shoulder briefly at Sayuri before turning back to Naru.
I knew it...he does have something for her.
The others that had joined them on this case was pretty much the whole team. Hosho Takigawa aka Monk as he was nicknamed was holding Sho's hand. Sadly, Sayuri couldn't get a babysitter in time and thus, having to take her cousin with them. Monk gladly accepted to be 'Uncle' for the time being on the case. He was handsome and had smiling brown eyes. The woman next to him was Ayako, the self made shrine maiden. Tsubaki felt her power the moment she walked into the door. Though Naru had dubbed her 'useless' at time, she wasn't at all. She had to be important if Naru kept her around.
Next was Father John Brown, the teen exorcist.
Tsubaki quickly found friendship with the puppy eyed priest, thus not feeling like an outcast among the group. He was gentle and had a light about him that she couldn't put her finger on.
The other two left was Masako Hara and Osamu Yasuhara.
Yasu quickly gain her favor, especially when he had bow before her and kiss her hand, claiming that she was an angel and that he would do anything for her. She got a giggle and a kick out of it especially when Naru and Ritsuke both glared the boy down.
Masako...
The dark haired medium knew who Naru really was, thus strained the secret keeping. At least she was keeping it from the others. Tsubaki still felt unsettled at the idea of keeping Naru's true identity a secret. If Gene was alive, he wouldn't allow it.
"Something wrong, Miss Chiba?"
The warm masculine voices distracts her from her thoughts.
Warm amber eyes stare into her green.
"Oh nothing Ritsuke," Tsubaki's green eyes dance, "and you can call me Tsubaki. No need to be so former."
Ritsuke nods, gulping at the look she was giving him. Who knew that the English blonde would be making him a nervous wreak. He was content with Sayuri, Sho, heck even Mai or Ayako. But for a strange reason, the blonde made his knees weak.
"Thank you for coming with us," Her eyes glance at him from underneath her lashes, "I didn't think you were much of a ghost hunter."
"I'm not," Ritsuke clears his throat, "I only done one case before...well...not really a case. And besides, it's dangerous when it comes to homicide, even if the culprit is dead or living."
"Well if it isn't a ghost, we'll have you to protect us, Ritsuke." His name floated out of her mouth smoothly. Ritsuke smile at her before staring ahead with nervous eyes. How was one girl could make him so nervous? Was he really that attracted to her? When he first saw her, it was like...
It was like being shot right through the heart.
It was a feeling he had never had with Sayuri.
Something brushes against his arm. He turns to look down to see that Tsubaki had taken his arm, leaning slightly into him. The feeling was warm, causing him to smile.
Sayuri was too busy making faces at the two from behind.
"Are you jealous or something?" Mai whispers to her.
"No," Her grey eyes narrow, "just feeling like a overprotective sister. I mean, how old is she?"
"She's about eighteen going on nineteen," Mai says, "that's what she told me at the office."
"I hope I don't need to give him that talk again," Sayuri sighs, "the last time he was involve with a younger girl...well he didn't know she was that young. It almost ended badly."
"I don't think you should tell him to not go for it," Mai grins, "I mean...did you see the way they looked at each other? It's like seeing Romeo and Juliet being reunited!"
"You do realize that Romeo and Juliet die at the end of the story, right?"
"You are so not a romantic, Sayuri," Mai huffs.
They enter the dean's office. It was a older gentleman who looked very worried. His eyes look up to see Ritsuke walking in who appeared to be the team that he was just reading about.
"Thank you for coming in," Dean Osaki gets up to greet the detective and SPR.
"It was no trouble at all," Naru speaks up, "Detective Satoru said that you wanted helped on this."
"Yes," Dean Osaki sits back down, "I'm afraid the police haven't been able to help us. It seem likely that a real person could do this but...a recent tragedy suggested otherwise. Mr. Shibuya, I offer advice that you and your team try to be safe as possible while on this case. You didn't know this but we had two paranormal teams such as yourself try to solve this case and it didn't end very well."
"That's because they weren't very professional about it," Naru is handed a large folder, must larger then the one Ritsuke was given.
"Of course," Dean Osaki stares away from them, "I just hadn't be able to comp rend the danger of the situation. I have a map of the place with the hot spots are marked. I also have a list of the people that were connected to the victims as well as a list of those who were injury and/or died because it. I had everyone sent home or put off into off campus housing. You'll have the entire area to search and look over."
"I have my men on alert in case of emergency," Ritsuke tells Naru, "if someone is hurt badly enough or if needed for assistance for removing certain people off the grounds, we'll be there."
"Thank you Detective," Naru sees Lin hand the file over to Tsubaki who starts reading immediately.
Ritsuke watches her read over the case before handing it back to Lin. Lin speaks to her in some language he doesn't understand. She responses back, almost smirking.
"Do you have a room for us to set up base camp?"
"Yes," Dean Osaki gets up out of his seat, "I will show you. It's in a meeting room in the center of campus."
The meeting room wasn't far from the dean's office. From what the Dean said was true. Not a single soul was in sight. Sayuri figured he probably had classes canceled. The campus itself didn't look that old. Most of the buildings looked between seven to six years old. It was a very large meeting room, even big enough to have cots brought in. A small kitchette is off to the side of the meeting.
The Dean reassures them that every and any bit of information would be given to them if necessary.
It was nearly evening when everything is set up and ready to go.
"Alright," Naru turns to his team, "we'll need to set up cameras in the hot spots. We also need sensors place around the borders of those hot spots. If this ghost or spirit is powerful enough to murder people in daylight, we can't be too careful."
The pairs were Sayuri and Mai, Ritsuke and Tsubaki, Naru and Lin, John and Masako, Monk and Ayako. Yasu would stay at base, while keeping an eye on Sho. Sayuri gives Sho a kiss with him asking her and the others to be careful.
"Just be good for Yasu, alright?" She looks over to the young man, "You got it covered?"
"Don't worry," Yasu gives her a thumbs up, "I'll protect him with my life Lady Sayuri."
"Of course you would," she laughs leaving with Mai.
Kyo...I need you to stay with Sho.
But what about you?
I'll be fine...Sho is more important. Please?
Okay, for him, I will.
Thank you.
"Are you sure he'll be okay?" Mai finally asks her the moment they were about to reach their point to set up their camera.
"Yeah, I told Kyo to keep an eye on him for me," Sayuri sighs, "I rather Sho be safe from whatever this thing is."
"I hope Yasu is a good babysitter. I didn't think he was good with kids," Mai sweatdrops.
"Mai, that makes me feel so much better," Sayuri face faults, "you just had to say that as we're approaching a creepy hallway. Now I'm going to worry!"
"I'm sorry!"
"If Yasu lets anything happen to Sho," Sayuri and Mai set up the camera, "he's going to have to deal with me and Ritsuke."
"Me too!" Mai frowns, "and Monk...and probably the rest of the team."
"I forget sometimes how much Sho is attach to you and Monk. Heck, even Ayako likes him."
"You just can't say no to that face," Mai laughs, "You're doing a great job raising him Sayuri. I just wanted you to know that. I mean, as far as I can tell, you're a good mom to him."
The grey eyed girl looks at Mai, "you have no idea how much that makes me feel better. Some days I think that I'm not doing a good enough job but thank you. I needed to hear that. And don't tell Ritsuke I was thinking that. He get on my case about putting myself down."
"Speaking of Ritsuke," Mai gets up from setting up the camera, "do you-"
"About him and Tsubaki? I just met the girl. So far, she's odd. Sweet but odd. As far I'm seeing, it hit him. And maybe I'm just worried that he might get his heart broken again. But for right now, we'll see."
"Good enough answer for me."
The girls set up a sensor and another camera before walking away from their designated sight. They ended up in Lin and Naru territory since the two got distracted by talking about everything under the moon and back. It was odd and comforting that the two girls found common ground and ended up becoming friends. Sayuri found Mai to be like the little sister she always wanted, also to wanting to protect the girl from everything dangerous. Mai found Sayuri to be a close older friend, much like Ayako was to her.
They acted like long lost sisters.
Maybe, in another life, they were.
"Speaking of you, Miss Romantic," Mai giggles, "are you crushing on anyone?"
"What brought that up?" Eyebrows were raised, staring at the teenage girl walking beside her.
"Well, are you?" Shifty eyes bore a hole into the side of her head.
"What makes you think that I'm actually interested in anyone? I'm not even into Ritsuke or Monk for crying out loud. I told Ayako that and she flipped on me. Geez, what's with the all the questions?"
"Ah ha!" Mai stops, pointing at her, "I knew it."
"Knew what? You're crazy Mai."
Mai pokes her in the arm, "admit it, you're crushing on someone! I can totally tell! You're acting just like Michiru when it comes to her boyfriend!"
Sayuri sweatdrops, "you mean acting like nothing is wrong and there is?"
"Is it Lin?"
"What makes you think it's Lin?"
"Cause you're not into Monk or Ritsuke. You definitely not into Naru. John's a priest and Yasu is too much of a fanboy. It has to be Lin."
"I'm just going to repeat myself. You're insane," Sayuri grabs the younger girl and gives her a noogie, "okay why Lin? Why would I be crushing on Lin? I barely know the guy."
"You got that goofy expression when he touch your face," the cat grin on Mai's face appears.
Sayuri blushes, letting go of her, "I did not have a goofy expression."
"You did to."
"Did not."
"Did too."
"Did not."
"Did. Too. Times Ten!"
"Did. Not. Times Eternity! Ha! I win!" Sayuri points at Mai who groans from being beaten by her.
"Would you two group up? We're working," The voice of Naru coming out of the dark hallway makes both girls scream. Lin and Naru watch as the girls recollect themselves from getting the crap scared out of them.
"You did that on purpose!" Mai points an accusing finger at Naru.
"Mai, we didn't even know he was there," Sayuri sweatdrops.
Sayuri...
Kyo, I thought I told you to...
I am...but I'm warning you...it's here.
"Guys," Sayuri speaks up only to get push behind Lin and Naru. Mai waits on their side as the hallway seem to get darker. The temperature also drops way below normal. Yasu tried to call in on the radio but it faded to nothing but static. Sayuri grabs Mai's arm, making sure the girl was still beside her.
"When I give the go ahead, I want you two to run back to base."
"Lin?" Sayuri asks, staring at the backside of the Chinese man.
"Just do it," He commands.
It got eerily quiet until the low howling from down the hall stirs. The shadows were all mix of the darkness inside the building combine with only the faded light of the moon. The howling slowly got louder and louder.
Sayuri squeezes Mai's hand, "we go as soon as he tells us too."
"We can't just leave them," Mai whispers.
"Now!" Lin yells as the girls talk off in the opposite direction of the now forming black shadowy mass at the end of the hallway. They didn't make it very far as a huge gust of air pushes them to the floor.
Sayuri tries to get up and reach for Mai only to hear the girl scream.
She was being dragged against her will down the hallway towards the black mass.
"MAI!" Sayuri tries to grab for her only to get cut off by Naru grabbing her.
"Let her go!" Grey eyes look up to see Lin yelling at the shadowy mass. That's when she hears him whistling. Bright shining lights appear, forcing to cut down the black mass holding on to Mai. Naru keeps his grip on her as tightly as possible.
"Don't...let go," Mai whimpers.
"I'm not letting you go," Naru pulls.
A large cabinet is suddenly slammed in between the mass and Mai. Tsubaki and Ritsuke rounded the corner.
"You guys alright?" The blonde approaches Naru now holding Mai with Sayuri staring at Lin with an odd expression.
"What the hell did you do?"
Before Lin could answer, the cabinet that was force in front of the mass is knock down. The mass was slowly taking shape of that a young woman in appearance. Ritsuke pulls out his gun. A soft hand lays on his wrist.
"Don't," Tsubaki orders, "bullets can't kill this one."
Ritsuke watches as she slowly approaches the mass, "c'mon you bitch...you're not so scary. I've seen worse."
The howling now changed into a screaming with Tsubaki holding out her hand. Suddenly the cabinet is back up off the floor and flying full force at the mass. It takes it along with it, smashing whatever it was into the wall.
"RUN!" Tsubaki shouts, grabbing Ritsuke and taking off.
"How did you do that?" He asks, as Lin and Naru dragged Sayuri and Mai away from that section of the hallway.
"I'm special, baby." She winks at him, diving down into a stairwell. The others quickly follow them. The lights flickered on then off then on then off. Soon, everything seem to be darker then usual. The six made it away from the hotspot.
"I believe the bitch is now pissed off," Tsubaki didn't look frazzled one bit.
"How...describe this special? Please?" His hair was a mess and his eyes look frazzled.
"Wow, you look good when you're all ruffled up."
"Thank you-Wait, okay look, just tell me what you-"
"She can move things with her mind," Sayuri answers, "I believe that if she is a friend of Naru's, she has to be special."
"I'm also a pyro," Tsubaki answers.
That comment got Ritsuke to look at her funny. She just winks at him, giggling. He felt his face burned.
"That," Sayuri comments, "makes me feel so much better."
"Is that sarcasm?"
"Enough," Naru raises his voice loud enough to the two women to stop looking at each other with flashing eyes, "we got a bigger problem on our hands and we don't need anyone getting into a argument."
"We need to contact the others," Mai finally finds her voice, grabbing the radio from Lin.
It turns out nobody else had an experience. When Yasu called them about not being able to contact them, the rest of the gang went into a panic. Naru reassure them that they would be returning to base as soon as possible. He and Mai go first, leading the way while the four drag behind them. Sayuri reaches out and touches Lin's arm. His dark eye turns to the brunette walking next to him.
"What was that?"
"What was what?"
"That thing you did," She chews on her lip, "what did you..."
"Sorta the same thing you do with Kyo. I...let's just say I have a gift."
"A gift," She turns the word over on her lips, "so what is this gift?"
"Why are you asking?"
"Why are you avoiding the question?"
"Because I don't like holding conversations with people who don't know when to mind their own business."
Sayuri opens her mouth, "fair enough."
She looks away from him, walking silently. He wasn't going to tell her. That was just fine with her. She didn't have to know anything about him. She suddenly wish she could kick Mai's butt for putting stupid ideas into her head about her liking Lin.
I have to be stupid. There is no way I can like this guy. And no way he would ever be interested in me. I'm just delusional...
They get back to base, with everyone making sure that Mai was alright. Sayuri smiles at Sho hugging her before going back over to her side. Mai ends up staying with Sho and Yasu at base. Sayuri all but ignores Naru's orders to come with him and Lin back out.
"Kyo is needed," He tells her.
Her eyes turn to Sho who waves at her, "it's okay...take Kyo with ya."
"Fine," Sayuri feels his presence.
Is everything okay? What did I miss?
Nothing, just trying to convince myself that I shouldn't be interested in any male that is on this team...
Do I want to-
No, you don't.
She goes along with the two stoic me. Sayuri silently curses herself for getting stuck in the whole mess with SPR in the first place. She quickly plots a way to destroy a character or two reminding her of Lin and Naru just for spite. It would be the only way to just relax and get her thoughts over nonsense of love and romance.
I'll never have anyone...never...
Sayuri stops walking once she realizes that the two men were up ahead checking on a sensor. She rolls her eyes, leaning up against the wall. She wasn't a damn body guard. She didn't need to be here. Sayuri catches her reflection in a hallway vending machine. She makes a face by sticking her tongue out at her own reflection.
It made her feel a bit better.
"Miss Natsuma," Naru turns around.
"So far, nothing," Sayuri looks back at her reflection by sticking her tongue out at it. It makes a face back by wiggling its hands around the ears. Her face pales as her own reflection is now smirking at her.
Sayuri! Look away! Look away now!
I can't...I'm scared...
Sayuri!
The reflection seem to be getting bigger then changing shape to that of a very pale, dark hair girl dress in some sort of blouse and skirt attire. Her eyes were dark and look dangerous. In her hand, she is holding a meat cleaver.
A devilish, mad smirk plays across the girl's lips.
"How about I make sure you don't have anyone?" The girl raises up her cleaver, "I'll make sure you don't have to be worried about being alone ever again."
KYO!
The cleaver comes down.
Sayuri screams.