Disclaimer: I do not own Ghost Hunt.

"Ouch!"

"Hold still!"

"I am! You're hurting me, woman!"

"Don't talk to me like that!"

The rest of the gang sweatdrops at the sounds of Ayako and Monk arguing. She was trying to attend to his wounds. They finally had dealt with the blob spirit only to find out it was the last dean that had died. It turned out that the dean was into some occult rituals. It also turned out the school girl turned out to be his lover that had die also with him during the ritual. She used to dress up like a high school girl for...personal purposes.

Luckily the college was in still good condition. The dean was however shock at the amount of damage done to one of the buildings, thus being somewhat Tsubaki's fault. But in the end, the spirits were cleansed and the college was safe again.

The case turned out well, Sayuri thought, and the week had gone by peacefully. She was no longer needed on any cases giving her time to spend with Sho and get preparations started to the Halloween party. Mai, Monk, Ritsuke, and, thankfully, Tsubaki was going to show up to help out.

Tsubaki turn into a good friend in such a short time. The delightful blonde was funny and sweet, and seemed to really care about Naru and Lin. Never had she seen anyone attempt to hug Lin and succeed before. After the case, Ritsuke all but stumble over his own feet when he ask Tsubaki if she would like to go out sometime and get to know one another better.

You would have thought you handed the girl a diamond bracelet by the way she told him yes.

Her new book was coming along very well, only getting stuck on the next chapter. It seem she was too dependent on SPR for her inspiration. But wasn't that why she found that ad in the first place? Why she decided to joined them on ghost hunting? Was that the real reason or was it because it was a reason to get her into the door and help her discover her gift?

Her eyes look out the doorway to see that the house was set up for the party. All that was needed was the food to be set out and the guests to arrived. For now, she just stuck to doing laundry.

Here she was doing chores after everything that had happen that week. Sayuri giggles. She was juggling household chores, an eight year old, a book, and ghost hunting. It was exciting and funny at the same time.

She sees a towel float in the air before folding itself and laying down on the pile she had already made.

"Kyo...you don't have to help me."

The next towel he pick up look like a mini sheet ghost which makes her laugh as it floats around her head.

"Okay okay, fine. You can finish folding while I go make sure the treats are done."

Sayuri leaves the room to head to the kitchen. She stops as soon as she hears a knock at the door. Curious grey eyes stare at the door.

"I wonder if Mai or Ritsuke decided to come over early," she checks the peep hole.

She makes a face as she opens the door, "Lin? Hi...sorry I thought it be Mai showing up early to help me out-"

"May I come in?" He was holding some covered dish in his hands.

"Sure," She steps aside to let him in. Now she was very puzzled. Why was Lin here and possibly with food? It was the only explanation for what was underneath that dish he was holding. She takes a quick look at her reflection in a mirror. Her hair was ruffled, wearing nothing but a unbutton sweater with a t-shirt and jeans running around in her bare feet like some bum.

"May I ask why you decided to stop by with-" He uncovers the plate, "treats. Wow, you..."

"It's for the Halloween party for Sho. He mention it to me."

"Oh," She blushes, "I...did you come by to help or bring food? Cause either way, I didn't think to ask you. I mean, I figured you were busy and didn't want to be bother and-I'm going to stop talking now."

Lin stares at how frazzle she was becoming. He reaches out and touches her shoulder.

"Sayuri...it's fine. I figured more treats wouldn't hurt."

"Thank you," The frantic look in her eyes leaves.

"He's a good kid," Lin finds himself talking more then usual, "for an eight year old."

"Oh yeah?" Her head was currently stuck in the fridge as she pulls stuff out, "he's usually behave for an eight year old. Not my doing though."

"From what I've seen, you're doing a good job raising him."

That comment makes her bang her head off the bottom of a shelf. Lin hears her curse, pulling her head out. He raises one eyebrow at her behavior, watching her run around the kitchen. Despite acting like she was disorganized, she was putting everything together properly.

"You need any help?"

"Nope, I got it. You'll throw off the flow I got going."

"Does that also pertain to your writing organization?" His eyes land on the coffee table that had been set up for a makeshift office. Her laptop was left on, with a pile of papers on side. A couple of books were stack near the pile of papers. There was also a large pile of paranormal books left on the floor. The only thing that look organized was an copy of a manuscript lying next to her laptop.

"You almost done the novel?" Lin had the urge to pick it up.

"Nope," Sayuri comes back with a cup of tea, "I got to about nineteen chapters and got stuck. I never get stuck before twenty, which is odd. You can read it if you want to."

The cup of tea was set down in front of him. He didn't even ask her for anything. Lin picks up the cup, taking a sip of the warm liquid.

"Sayuri, are you a mind reader?"

"No, why?"

"No reason," Lin pushes aside that question in his head before picking up the manuscript. He flips over the first page and begins to read. In the time that he went through the nineteen chapters, she manage to get two loads of laundry finished up, all the snacks and foods prepared, and even had time to get changed into her costume.

"Lin?" Her voice interrupts him at a scene where the main characters are in a hallway, much like the one they were in on their last case together. Except it wasn't a college. It was an old manor and they were trying to find out if the phantom had taken up residence there.

Brown hair tickles his cheek as she leans over the couch, looking over his shoulder.

"Hmm?"

"Well, how is it? Good?"

"It's very good," Lin doesn't move, "could you mind not to look over my shoulder?"

"Sorry," she leans back up, the faint smell of perfume tickling his nose, "you've been reading for...two hours now."

"Really?"

"It must be good if you are reading it."

"You sound surprise that I would find your novels interesting," He sits the manuscript back down on the coffee table.

"Would you rather I assumed that you did? You're a mystery Lin," Sayuri walks away from him to a mirror. The ribbon is in her mouth as she tries to put her hair up into a ponytail. Her costume was simple enough for the party. She be wearing a short fall green kimono like top with a gold obi and cream leggings. She was going to carry a lantern around. It wasn't much but it did for now.

"I like to remain that way," his voice comes up behind her, startling her. She felt her hair leave her hands. His long fingers brush against the back of her neck, helping her pull her hair up. The gesture wasn't something she was used to getting by a man. It sent shivers down her skin.

"Ribbon?"

Sayuri takes the ribbon out of her mouth and maneuvering around his hands, ties her hair.

She felt her hair set into place once he removed his hands.

"Thank you..." How many times was she going to say that? How many times was he going to do stuff for her when she didn't expect him to? That she didn't ponder to ask him? It was Lin. He was the stoic man who was Naru's assistant and good friend.

The only time she saw more emotion then normal was around Tsubaki.

"You're welcome," She turns around facing him this time.

"Uh...the kids are going to be here soon. If you don't want a bunch of eight year olds annoying the hell of you, you better go. One of the girls should be here soon so no worries about me having any help. I also have a ghost too you know...to keep an eye on things."

Why was it when she was nervous around a guy she suddenly spew into a moment of talking without stopping?

"I know," Lin kept his hands down at his sides, not wanting to touch her anymore then he possibly could for the day. He still had no clue why he decided to get up and help her with her hair. Was it because he wanted to feel it? It was soft, feeling almost like nothing in his hands.

"Why did you dye your hair brown?"

"It clash with my eyes."

Sayuri is startled by the chuckle that comes out of his mouth.

"Are you serious? That's the only reason?"

"You're laughing at me," Sayuri huffs, stepping away from him to go light up the battery power lantern she left on the table.

"I'm not," Lin regains his composure, "the answer surprised me."

"You surprise me a lot, and still do," Her voice sounded annoyed with him, "you're...never mind."

"Don't expect me to tell you everything," Lin was now feeling annoyed as well.

"I don't expect you too," her tone was cool, "I don't expect much from you. I tend to do you a favor and leave you alone. As I said, you surprise me sometimes when you do things for me, things that I never thought to ask you to do."

The comment hit him in his gut. She threw a punch and it hit nearly below the belt. Lin was surprised by her answer. Most women would be looking for something romantic out of his stoic nature. He tended to keep 'romantic' relationships at arms length, only looking for close companionship and nothing else. Her tone came out icy, stinging him.

He wasn't expecting her to understand.

"Am I interrupting anything?" Tsubaki's cool voice speaks up. The blonde was dress up like a cute little witch with the streaks in her hair now neon green, orange, and purple. Her green eyes look between the two young adults.

"No, I was just leaving," Lin gives her a small smile before heading towards the door, "you can keep the tray Sayuri."

"Sure, thank you for again."

The door closes as Tsubaki sits down her dish on the table. Sayuri keeps herself busy by dimming the lights and lighting up the decorations that needed to be plug in. Tsubaki turns to the living room, cleaning up Sayuri's writing. She knew where everything went so she didn't need to bother the brunette who was currently stewing. When Tsubaki comes back from putting everything in Sayuri's office, Sayuri was staring out at the backyard.

"Care to tell me why Lin was here with you? Alone?"

"He stop by to give treats for the party," Sayuri rubs her arm, "he didn't have to."

"No, he didn't. He does little things like to show he cares. Did you two have a fight or something?"

"I'm not sure you could call it a fight. We were just making conversation then I said something, getting annoyed. He got annoyed back then I got even more annoyed. He didn't say anything after that."

Tsubaki nods, not asking any questions as to what was said. She had seen Lin go through relationships. There weren't many but she's been there through them all.

"He tends to keep some relationships at arm's length. It's his nature."

"Fine with me," Sayuri snaps, surprising the blonde, "I mean...if that's what he wants, then I won't push. I'm surprise you haven't said anything about-"

"You find him attractive," Tsubaki smiles, "nothing wrong with that. Mai filled me on who you were crushing on him."

"Mai...is so going to get it when she gets here," Sayuri groans, rubbing her face with hands.

"Don't," Tsubaki laughs, patting the girl on the back, "I find it sweet that he makes you so fluster."

"He does not make me fluster," Her face was now burning.

"When we were cleaning up after that last case, he said something to you and you ran into the wall next to the doorway. I count that as flustered." Tsubaki laughs at Sayuri's expression.

"Monk still teases me about that."

"Is that all you feel when you're around him?" The question sounded serious this time, making Sayuri stare at Tsubaki's green gaze.

"I...I don't know. I'm still trying to juggle work, Sho, and hunting ghosts. I had Kyo folding towels for me as I was setting up the food."

"When was the first time you felt something from him?"

"I think...," Sayuri chews on her lip, "it was when he check my mind...after having a bad week. It felt like...electricity flowing through me. It was odd. And he has a nice smile...when you spot it. And...are you crying?"

"No!" Tsubaki wipes her eyes, "no I'm not. Okay I'm getting sentimental. I have a weakness for fluff."

"I can tell," Sayuri hands her a tissue, "has...no I won't ask. I feel stupid for even thinking it."

"Going to ask me if he has mentioned you? I ask him about your picture the day I showed up. He got this dumbfounded look on his face, like he didn't' want to talk about you. I think he does or is thinking on the idea that maybe he's attracted to you."

"Fair enough," Sayuri felt her heart racing, "how are things with you and Ritsu?"

"Good," The blonde smiles, looking love struck, "He's a sweetheart. He does all the right things and...even means it."

"He's true to his word. He won't lie to you. I just get weird because he's had crappy relationships before and it kinda took his toll on him. Ritsuke is the guy who would do anything for the woman he loves. Yet some women tend to manipulate that and use him. I love him. He's the older brother I've always wanted. I'm just asking to try and take it slow as possible. I don't want him or you to get hurt."

"Forget it, the tears are here now," Tsubaki sniffles, "you're such a sweetheart and such a good sister to Ritsu."

"Yeah to him and Monk both," Sayuri laughs.

"Nothing wrong with having brothers," Tsubaki hears the doorbell, "I think that may be them and Mai showing up to help out."

"Good," Sayuri grins, "cause the kids will here any minute and we can't disappoint them."

It wasn't long until Sho showed up with his friends. Sayuri knew she did a good job when she saw all those smiling faces. The whole party went without any issues or any unnecessary guests.

She smiles.

This Halloween wasn't so bad after all.