Disclaimer: I do not own Ghost Hunt.
"Why not?"
"Because we said so," Sayuri looks down at Mai. The teenager was currently prop up on the couch at Ayako's place. Since Sayuri wasn't allowed back at her home, Mai was place with Ayako until further notice.
Mai pouts, "but I'm getting bet-"
"No!" Everyone stares at her.
"You're in no position to do anything dangerous," Naru crosses his arms, "and the weather is supposed to be very cold tonight so you would end up catching a cold."
"Yeah, Miss I-forgot-my-winter-coat-at-home," Monk pinches Mai's cheeks teasingly.
"You'll be safe here," Sayuri turns to the eight year old by Mai's side, "you too, mister. Please behave for Miss Ayako and Father John."
"I will," Chocolate brown eyes smile at her, "I'll also take care of Mai."
"Please do," Sayuri places a kiss on his forehead.
"We'll make sure she's taken care of," Ayako was ready to pushed Monk, Naru, and Sayuri out the door. Between the three of them, it was like dealing with relatives all over again. Between the worried boyfriend, 'brother', and 'mother', there was enough to go around.
"Yeah but it's-"
"If she does anything," Ayako pushes Monk out the door, "we'll tied her to the chair."
"And nothing supernatural!" Sayuri wags her finger before Ayako has Lin carry the young woman out the door.
"Like that's going to help," Ritsuke chuckles before ruffling Mai's hair, "the kid is ghost bait, you can't-"
"Shut up sweetie, you're making Naru angry," Tsubaki grabs the detective by the ear, taking him out the door.
"Just take of yourself," Naru touches Mai's shoulder. Those that were going all piled up into the van to take them to their newest case. Tsubaki holds out a hand as Ritsuke hands her the file.
"Hope you guys packed for the cold," Tsubaki reads over the file, "cause it's going to be a cold night ahead."
"It shouldn't be too bad," Sayuri sitting back with Monk.
"We got a large area to cover," Ritsuke tugs on his glove, "but I wrote down all the hot spots that these kids supposedly see blood and what not."
"What's the 'what not'?" Naru asks.
"The reports say that the factory sometimes...comes back to life," Tsubaki gets a look from all around.
"Wait, like the machines turn on and everything?" Monk asks.
"Also sound of chains being dragged, bright lights, and the smell of blood," Tsubaki finishes off the list, "that's all we got. We didn't interview the rest of the kids cause somebody had them scared."
Green eyes turn to Ritsuke.
"Sorry," he grumbles, "I was just doing my job."
"They're just kids," Tsubaki nudges him frowning before giving him a smile.
"Can't help it if some teenagers get nervous around me," Ritsuke sighs, leaning back into the seat.
Sayuri just rolls her eyes, smiling at the two. Ritsuke's mood had changed considerable since the detective first met Tsubaki. The supposed 'star crossed lovers' were inseparable. At first, she was uneasy with the idea, knowing how the poor guy's heart got crushed over the years. But this time, she was hoping the two would stayed together for however long they were meant to be. And she wanted it to be forever.
Her grey eyes glance up at the rearview mirror, catching Lin's eyes briefly.
Her face blushes but smiles at him before turning to look out the window.
Ever since that first night, she been feeling so happy. And she was happy with Lin. It didn't seem odd anymore. The only thing she was surprised at was when Sho said that he approved. It made her happy that Sho liked Lin. Hopefully the days staying with the Chinese man will be good on their relationship, for both of them.
After a couple of hours of driving, a looming structure comes into view. The moment they pulled up to the gate, Ritsuke gets out with a set of keys he got from the landlord. It was gated but it still didn't stop teenagers from sneaking up there for some fun. Ritsuke unlocks the gate, swinging it back as the van pulls up into the drive. He gets back in as they make their way up to the factory. The moment they arrived at the main entrance, they all get out.
Sayuri tugs the collar of her coat closer to her neck, "wow..."
"Told ya it's huge," Ritsuke gets out.
Sayuri eyes the factory and then looks back at him, "This place is creepy as hell."
Ritsuke shrugs, getting around the van to help Lin and Naru unpack.
Tsubaki eyeballs it.
"This place gives me bad vibes..." the blond mutters, eyeing it darkly.
"We got a one room with heat to be base camp," Ritsuke walks into the building, heading to a large office room, "other then that, we're going to have to keep bundled up."
"Maybe we can pass Tsubaki around as a human heater," Sayuri blows into her hands, smirking at the blonde.
"Ha ha, you're so funny."
Tsubaki didn't look to happy to be there.
The monitors, computer, and everything else is set up. "Okay oh Fearless Leader, who gets to put cameras in what rooms?"
Naru ignores the snarky comment from Sayuri.
Split into groups of two if you're so scared."
"Girls together," Tsubaki grabs Sayuri's hand, taking a couple of cameras and leaving off to the first hot spot. Ritsuke picks up the cameras for the second hot spot, eyeing Monk.
"Guess it's just you and me Takigawa."
Monk sighed, "Damn. I was hopin' to get to go with the cute blond."
"Too bad. John's with Mai."
Monk shivers under the dark look coming from the detective, "Uh c'mon Ritsuke, it was a joke."
"I know," Ritsuke smirks, laughing as Monk hangs his head following the detective.
I think my soul is gone...
Sayuri looks back to where base camp is, "you think Lin and Naru are going to be okay? I could have been fine on my own...Tsubaki, what are you doing?"
The blonde look like she was trying to snap her fingers.
She whines, "My fire won't work!"
"Okay, imagine Ritsuke...shirtless."
Tsubaki got a little spark, but her blood-red face was more of a distraction.
"Tsu...Tsubaki...I didn't mean to embarrass ya..." Sayuri digs into her pockets, "Lemme see if I got matches on me."
"Why would you have matches? What happen to a flashlight?"
"Hey, I could have say imagine Ritsuke naked but no...you would have been embarrassed."
Sayuri yelps, jumping back as her sleeve catches on fire.
"Wow!" Sayuri puts it out, "really? that was it? the image of him naked?"
"No, that was for you even daring thinking of him that way."
"Me?" Sayuri felt her eye twitch, "ew...he's like my brother...and...oh gawd...ew. You can have him. He's all yours. Mind, body, and soul. Go ahead. Take him. I don't care."
Tsubaki was blushing, "Yeah... but... I mean... doesn't matter... I mean we haven't even held hands... I don't even think he likes me..."
The older woman makes a face before frowning, "Tsubaki, he does like you. He...he's a dork. He won't make the first move cause he's so nervous and scared. Ritsu doesn't want to come across as pushy yet at the same time wants to take it slow. I say you make the first move to let him know that he's got nothing to worry about."
"Me...?"
Sayuri nods, "he wants you, only you. Every time we talk about you, he gets this look on his face. But as I said, he gets nervous...cause...well every time he has tried to romance a girl, he got shot down for...a whole list of stupid reasons. All Ritsuke wants to is to make you happy."
"So please for the love of romance and all things mushy, make the first move that way he can stop acting like a lovesick Romeo," Sayuri laughs.
Tsubaki looks back, "What should I do?"
"Well, let's start with hand holding," Sayuri smiles, "if he won't have the nerve to take your hand, grabbed his."
"Okay!"
Sayuri chuckles at Tsubaki now having her fire back and a smile.
"So what's the deal with you and Tsubaki?" Both men had got flashlights, walking around the main part of the factory near the conveyor belts. Large machinery and crates sat all around them, collecting dust, mold, and rust.
"What do you mean?" Ritsuke finds a nice spot to place the camera.
"Well, for one, you got overprotective and two, I haven't seen you two all lovey dovey yet," Monk smirks, leaning against the wall, "so what's up?"
The detective froze at his spot. His relationship with Tsubaki was something he couldn't explained. No matter what he tried, he just couldn't work up the nerve to do anything. He couldn't make the first move. His nerves got the best of him. He couldn't even hold her hand!
"I'm scared."
"Of what?"
"Rejection. Heartache. Being made a fool out of." Ritsuke adjusts the tripod, "and that she's...she makes me nervous."
"All women make men nervous. Why this one in particular?"
"I think she's the one," that comment makes Monk stagger over.
"But-but, you just-"
"I don't know now how I know," Ritsuke raises his voice, letting out a growl of frustration, "but the moment I look in her eyes...quit laughing...I just knew...I said, quit laughing!"
"You're nervous about a pyro telekinetic blonde," Monk laughs, "you...that's funny."
"Oh that's funny?" Ritsuke felt a vein throb, "what about you and Ayako?"
Monk stops laughing, stiffening, "what about her and me?"
"Well? You like her as a friend or...as more?" Ritsuke smirks, giving a devious smile that reminds Monk of some devilish imp.
"None of your damn business, Satoru," Monk glares but the look from Ritsuke makes the poor man nearly fall over.
"Uh uh, you got the hots for her," Ritsuke smirks with Monk following behind him glaring at the detective's backside. The two men kept that up until Monk points out that placing a camera up higher would give a better view of what's going on in the factory. Ritsuke hops up with Monk tossing him the camera and tripod. Monk hops up onto the conveyor belt.
"Nice..." Monk lets out as low whistle as Ritsuke places the camera and tripod up on a crate.
"Give a good view, then Lin won't chew our asses out on it," Ritsuke tugged his jacket closer, "did it just get chilly in here?"
"A ghost?"
"Or a draft."
A chilled wind passes throughout the room. The two men shiver before they hear a soft whirling sound. Ritsuke turns his back to see what was making the noise. A small red light catches his eye.
"What is that?" He whispers.
"Uh Ritsu?"
"What?" Ritsuke looks up as he hears the machines kicking on.
"How long was this factory out of commission?" Monk turns to look at the detective.
"Fifteen," Ritsuke hears the machine behind them turn off by itself. Both men turn slowly to see that the machine was starting up the conveyor belt. Monk and Ritsuke topple to the belt.
"Get up!" The machine came to life, with all its lights turning a dangerous red color.
"Run!"
"Where?"
The two men were stuck running away from the machine but not going anywhere in particular. Finally Ritsuke tackles Monk off the belt which sends them both to the ground below. Both men groan, trying to get up and run back to base to give Naru and Lin the report.
Meanwhile, the girls were up on the second floor going through the rooms there. So far, after setting up the cameras, neither girl found a room covered in blood.
"I'm starting to think that maybe we were sent on a wild goose chase," Sayuri looks around as Tsubaki holds up her flame.
"Maybe," Tsubaki frowns, "but this place...it's..."
"I know," Sayuri frowns, "but it doesn't add up though."
"Does Kyo sense anything?"
There was no comment from Sayuri as Tsubaki turns around to see a look on Sayuri's face. The blonde walks up to the brunette slowly, "is Kyo with you or Sho?"
"Huh? Sorry!" Sayuri blushes, "Kyo was telling me there was something here."
"Oops, I forgot that I can't see him," Tsubaki blushes.
"I know I have this gift but, Kyo, forgive me, I hate that fact I look like I'm talking to air to some people," Sayuri blushes.
"You hate your gift?"
"No...just wish dead people know when I can't talk to them," Sayuri frowns.
"Wait," Tsubaki looks her down and over, "have you had seen spirits when you're-"
"Out at the supermarket, dropping Sho off at school, shopping with Mai," Sayuri takes a ragged breathe, "it's only happen once or twice..."
"Did you tell anyone?" Tsubaki sighs as she's met with silence, "You have to tell us these things. You need to-" She gets cut off by the look on the young woman's face.
"I'm scared," Sayuri shivers. A faint comforting warmth envelopes her as Kyo wraps his arms around her, trying to comfort her.
"You don't have to be scared," Tsubaki whispers to her, "you got us."
"Thanks, Tsubaki," Sayuri smiles.
"You're welcome," Tsubaki turns her light back around, "now...let's see what is down here..."
"Probably more dark and creepy rooms," Sayuri sighs.
The floor that was underneath the girls gives out from under them. Both scream as they fall before chains wrapped around them from underneath the floor they fell through. Sayuri struggles as the chains wrapped themselves around her body. Tsubaki struggles to get an arm free.
"Grr, Kyo! Do something!" Sayuri screams but found out that her ghost couldn't do much against the chains that were coming alive.
"Lemme see if I can get a signal to the boys!" Tsubaki exclaims.
"How?"
"Just give me a second to-"
A giant fireball shots up from the hole in the floor, catching the attention of the camera was that set up in the hallway. Lin spots it, getting out of his chair. He and Naru immediately run to where they saw the fireball.
"Where did they go?" Naru shines his flashlight down the hallway until they spot the hole in the floor.
"A little help please!"
Lin and Naru both reach the hole in the floor, helping the girls out of the chains. Lin pulls up Tsubaki then Sayuri. The novelist lets out a deep sigh once her feet reach solid ground. Her arms wrap around Lin, "oh thank gawd..."
"The whole factory seems to be alive," Tsubaki comments, "the chains came to life and wrapped themselves around us."
Naru gets on the radio, "Takigawa, Satoru, where are you?"
"Trying not to die!" The detective's voice comes in loud and clear, "the whole place just came to life!"
"Ritsuke..." Tsubaki frowns before turning on her heel.
"Tsubaki!' Naru takes off after her, with Lin and Sayuri on their heels. They reached the bottom floor where Ritsuke and Monk were trying to fight off some the machinery that came to life. Ritsuke wasn't sure what to do except aim his gun. One of the chains smacks into the detective's wrist, knocking the gun from him.
"Crap," Ritsuke tries to run for it but the chain wraps around his legs, dragging him towards one of the conveyor belts.
"Ritsuke!" Tsubaki's voice echoes.
"Tsubaki! Stay away!" He calls out.
His eyes meet the frantic pyro's. Green clashes with amber as Ritsuke is dragged then thrown across the floor. He lands on his side, groaning from hitting the dusty stone floor. Ritsuke looks up to see an old fork lift powered up and headed his way.
"Ritsuke!" It was a moment where everything slowed down as Tsubaki got in front of him. Before he could do anything, the fork lift was flipped over them and landed on upside down as it slid across the floor into a stack of crates.
The detective tries to stand up but his entire left side of his body hurt. The blonde kneels down, helping him up, "that was stupid...you can't defeat a spirit with a gun."
"The least I could do was defend myself," Ritsuke groans as Tsubaki leads him over to a pile of boxes to sit down on.
"You could have been killed," Her voice cracks as green eyes try not cry.
"Tsubaki..."
"Don't scare me like that again!" She yells at him, "we're not even holding hands and I could have lost you tonight! Don't put yourself in that position again!"
Ritsuke's facial expression softens as the blonde sniffles, "I won't...I didn't think...I'm sorry. I didn't realize how upset you be."
"I care about you, idiot," Tsubaki looks up with angry teary eyes.
"I know," His hand touches her cheek, "I care about you too."
"Then why won't you-" Tsubaki's mouth is covered with Ritsuke's. The detective kisses her for a few seconds, blushing as to why he decided to just jump at the chance. Her lips move under his the moment they touched.
"Because I'm a nervous wreck around you," Ritsuke whispers, stroking her cheek with his thumb, "I just want to give you everything yet my mind stops thinking when you're around."
"Ritsu," Tsubaki touches her forehead to his, "just make sure that you're sticking with me. I can protect you."
"Isn't it suppose to be the other way around?" The blonde hugs him, snuggling into his chest. His fingers stroke her hair, before burying his face into it.
"I can take care of myself," Tsubaki mumbles.
"I believe you can," Ritsuke pulls away to look into her eyes, "but I still want to. You're precious..."
Someone clears their throat behind them as Ritsuke and Tsubaki notice the strange looks they were getting from Naru, Lin, and Sayuri. Monk had currently battled off his machinery coming back. He leans over, breathing heavily.
"So, what did I miss?"
"Not much," The groan of the machinery makes everyone freeze, "let's get moving and see if we can find the source of this activity."
"It must be one angry spirit to turn a whole factory into one huge monster," Sayuri comments.
The group enters the other room. It was where the incinerator was kept. Tsubaki stops walking as does Monk. Sayuri gets a notice from Kyo. She also stops.
"Something...bad happen in here," The blonde comments, leaning into Ritsuke.
"I smell..." Sayuri holds her nose for a second, "blood...and..."
"Everyone look around," Naru turns his flashlight over the place, "see if you can pick up on anything. And be careful."
Monk, Lin, and Ritsuke check around the main furnace while the girls look in the corners. Monk shines his flashlight on the huge incinerator with something catching off of it.
"Hey guys...I think...I see something," Monk goes up to it, trying to give the door a yank. Lin and Ritsuke both had to help the monk pull at the door. Sayuri gets up close with Naru with Tsubaki helping with the light.
Sayuri lets out a gasp the moment the door was open.
"What is it?" Naru asks her.
The novelist simply points into the darkness of the cold incinerator. Tsubaki and Lin point their flashlights into the dark. The blonde lets out a scream before backing up. The door is swung all the way open with lights peering inside.
"Oh gawd," Ritsuke closes his eyes, feeling his stomach do a turn.
"He's just a kid," Sayuri turns, not wanting to look.
"Were there any reports of missing teenagers in the area?" Naru points his flashlight at Ritsuke. The detective look like he was about to be sick with Naru frowning at him.
"You going to answer-"
"Shut it," Ritsuke glares at him, "no, I haven't...but damn it!"
Monk lets go of the door, "you think it's this kid that's haunting the factory?"
"It's a good guess," Naru frowns, feeling sick as well. It wasn't often they ran into a body. But this one looked like he had been dead for just a few days. The cold had kept the body fresh, making it look like he had been dead just yesterday.
"I'm going to have to report this," Ritsuke looks at Naru, "that's a dead kid and somebody misses him."
Monk leans in, trying to get a closer look to ID the victim inside. Monk looks around at the body of a young boy, right about Naru's age. It look so sad with eyes closed in death and skin deathly white and blue.
"I'm going to try and see if I can get an ID off this kid," Monk looks at Ritsuke.
"Look you better let me do it," Ritsuke walks back up to the incinerator. Before the two men could make a move, the eyes of the dead boy open. Monk and Ritsuke are frozen where they're at, staring as the dead body sits up.
"I don't think he's happy about that," Monk shoves Ritsuke away.
The gang watches as flames appear out of nowhere, engulfing the body with eyes turning a haunting red.
"Geez, this kid is angry," Monk gets up off the floor, preparing to start his chant. The incinerator door slams shut as the whole thing comes to life. It lets out a angry human like roar while it turns a dark burning red color.
"Everyone get back!" Monk shouts.
"You're going to get burned!" Sayuri is shoved aside.
"Takigawa!" Ritsuke shouts but flames shoot up from the different pipes, causing the detective to duck his head.
Monk doesn't look at them as the whole room was bright from the flaming incinerator. The possessed machine roars angrily as Monk begins his chant. Despite the heat, he wasn't budging.
"On nÅmaku sanmanda basaradan kan."
The louder he got, the more and more the machine seem to be weaken. The spirit of the boy in the incinerator was loosing power but not until pipes burst. Crates caught on fire. Monk didn't budged, staring at the machine.
C'mon kid...we're here to help...don't fight me...c'mon...
Sayuri coughs from the smoke as Kyo looks on, worried. She glances at her ghost who looks back at her.
"He's hurting..."
"Takigawa is?"
"No...the boy..."
"Monk!"
"Takigawa!"
A giant fireball omits from the top of the incinerator before it gives out in a bright flash of light. The only thing left was the faint smell of smoke in the air. Everyone coughs as they make their way to where they left their friend. Ritsuke and Sayuri freak out as they find their friend on the floor.
"Takigawa!" Sayuri kneels down, touching Monk's face, "answer me!"
"You better breath, you moron!" Ritsuke checks as Monk, "please don't make me do mouth to mouth on you!"
"I prefer the pretty novelist then you," Monk groans, opening his eyes. Sayuri lets out a yell as he sits up. Her arms wrap around him, causing the monk to blush.
"You scared me," Sayuri pulls away, "what happen?"
"He's alright..." Monk coughs, "the flames were just his show...though..."
"Though what?"
"Poor kid," Monk frowns, "I got inside his head. The kid only came here because some of his classmates were having a party in here. A group of bullies got him in here and started to beat him up. It was five against one. He was beaten to death and once the bullies realize what they did, they dumped his body into the incinerator, hoping no one would find him."
"Poor kid," Ritsuke frowns.
"Do you think this kid-"
"Edo," Monk interrupts Naru with a glare.
"Edo," Naru clears his throat, "are we able to purify him and let him move on?"
"Not until we get those kids for what they did," Monk frowns, staring at Ritsuke, "you think you can do that?"
Ritsuke was already pulling out the cell phone, "we'll make sure Edo's killers get what they deserve."
It didn't take long for the police to show up. Ritsuke and Monk both frown as the body was taken away. Sayuri glances up to see the spirit of Edo watching as his body is put into the back of the ambulance. Edo catches her eye, jumping a bit that she could see him. She smiles as if to reassure him that it was going to be okay.
The bullies were found guilty that night, with Ritsuke watching as they were sent away.
"He thanks you both," Sayuri whispers to both Ritsuke and Monk, "and sorry that he cause so much trouble."
"No hard feelings," Ritsuke turns to Monk, "right?"
"Yeah," Monk smiles faintly, "no hard feelings."
Brown eyes watch as Ritsuke walks up to Tsubaki. The detective leans down to give the blonde girl a kiss on the lips before leading her back to the van to help cleaned up. It had been a long night for them all. After getting statements and packing up the van, they all headed back to Ayako's to check up on Mai and for Sayuri to pick up Sho. John is the one who answers the door.
"How did the case..." John's voice trails off as Monk is the first inside the door. Ayako looks up as he stands over her. The miko looks at him curiously as tired brown eyes just take her in.
"Is there something wrong?"
"Mm hmm," Monk grabs her arm, tugging her upwards.
"What are you-" Ayako is silence as Monk tips her over, planting his mouth over hers in a kiss. Everyone watches with wide eyes as Monk kisses Ayako briefly before putting her back up on her feet. She looks stunned but not before taking a swing at him.
Monk ducks before stealing another kiss.
"What the heck was that for, you bone head!" Ayako yells at as him as Monk picks up his keys.
"Worth it?" Ritsuke whispers, smirking as Monk makes his way back to the front door.
"So worth it," Monk high fives Ritsuke on his way out with Ayako still steaming.
"C'mon detective," Tsubaki tugs at Ritsuke's arms, "you can take me home."
"As you wish," the detective gives a smirk to everyone before following the blonde to the door. She stops walking to plant a huge kiss on his mouth. Ritsuke didn't seemed to mind though his face turn pink. Tsubaki pecks his lips before leaning back to look at him. Sayuri couldn't help but gushed silently at the look they both had in their eyes. They looked so...in love.
"Alright, we get it. You're official," Sayuri rolls her eyes, "leave before I loose my cookies."
"You're just jealous, sis," Ritsuke sticks his tongue out playfully at Sayuri.
"Enough sibling bonding," Tsubaki tugs his arm again, "he's mine tonight."
"Get!" Ayako shoves them both out with Mai and Sayuri laughing. Sho gets up, tugging on Sayuri's arm to go. Sayuri gives Mai her goodbyes and Ayako her well wishes before leaving. The moment Sayuri got back to the apartment, she got Sho ready for bed. The little boy was tuckered out from the day evening spent with Mai, Ayako, and John.
Soon as she closes the door, Sayuri's grey eyes looked up to see Lin working again at his laptop.
She leans against the door, watching him with a faint smile on her lips.
Now Ritsuke was just as happy as she was, probably even more so.
The detective finally got his lady tonight.