Hello! It's been a very long time since I've written any fanfiction but I've been thinking a lot about Ghost Hunt again and this idea came to mind and I've been running with it, its been so much fun writing again. Ghost Hunt has always been very special to me and writing this has been so much fun! I hope you enjoy :)

Mai was having a lie in, on a rare, free, Saturday morning, when her phone began to blare its obnoxiously loud ringtone, and Mai cursed the day that Keiko told her that the three girls should have matching ringtones. She groaned as she reached for her phone.

'Hello, Taniyama Mai speaking,'

The answering voice on the other end wasn't one she'd heard before. She was expecting it to have been her boss asking her to come in due to being short staffed, but the voice on the other end was warmer, sweeter, and kinder.

'Hello dear, I am so sorry to bother you, I know it must be early for you. This is Luella Davis.'

Mai felt like the name Davis should have rung a bell, but in her disorientated state, she couldn't place it.

'I'm sorry, who?' She pulled her phone away from her face and looked at the strange, foreign, unrecognisable number.

'I'm Luella, I'm Noll's mum.' A pause, where Mai still didn't understand what was going on, and this was followed by: 'I'm Oliver Davis's mum.'

Mai felt her world spin, and she bolted into a sitting position, too quick, and massaged her spinning head. She hadn't heard that name in a while.

'You're Naru's mum?' Mai clasped her hand over her mouth. It had been years since she'd used the nickname 'Naru' to refer to her old boss from her high school days, and she'd just brought the name back to the forefront of her mind and the tip of her tongue, with his mum on the line, no less!

Luella chuckled, 'Lin did say that you used to call him that, and he admitted to himself that he joined in from time to time! Yes, hearing you say it now, I can see why 'Noll' and 'Naru' can sound similar.'

'I haven't spoken to... Oliver, in years.' A sudden worst-case scenario overcame her. She had images of him using his PK and putting himself in hospital. She braced herself. 'Is he alright?'

'Yes, he's fine. Sorry, my dear, this must be such a shock to you, I understand Noll hasn't been the easiest person to reach these last five years.'

After Naru had announced that he was, in fact The Oliver Davis, and that he'd fulfilled his quest in coming to Japan by locating the body of his dead twin and that he was going back to England, it had been a whirlwind. She'd asked for an address, an email, something, but he'd waved her off, stating that he wasn't Gene, and he wasn't going to indulge her in her fantasies for his deceased twin. Mai had tried to explain it wasn't like that, but as she was still trying processing everything that had happened, her rebuttals had felt weak, even to her own ears.

She had asked Lin for his contact details, and they kept in touch here and there, and that led to some correspondence with Mori, who would pass on little updates about things in England. After a while, Mai explained to Mori that she had worked out how she felt about Naru, and she'd like to drop him an email to get it off her chest. Mori had passed on some contact information for Oliver, but after two attempts to reach out to him, with no response, she realised she had to work through her emotions and find her closure on her own. Mori had offered to speak to him on her behalf, but forlorn, she'd told her it was okay.

Five years had gone by since then.

Mai didn't know what to say to Luella but gathered that she must have had a good reason for calling.

'Noll hasn't been right since he came back to England. Losing Eugene was hard, and it tore us all apart for years. Noll went to Japan to find him, and after he was laid to rest, here, in England, it helped to bring a tiny bit of peace for myself and Martin, but that peace never touched Noll. As you know, he is closed off and distant, at the best of times. Instead of having any form of closure, he rescinded further into himself.'

Mai listened attentively. She herself had hoped Naru would find some peace back with his family, and even after all this time, she was still saddened he had not found it.

'I spoke to Lin and Mori, and they both admitted that Noll was different in Japan. Whilst there he ran the Japanese branch of the British Society for Psychic Research, he was the boss, he had staff, he didn't have to defer to anyone else. He was a leader and he did it well. Martin and I would love to give him free reign to take over SPR again, but he just isn't ready.'

This was news to Mai, she'd always admired Naru, and seen him as very capable, in a different league to herself, but despite this, she reckoned she knew what Luella was going to say.

'His people skills... Aren't the best. We let him take over SPR when he told us what he had seen... With Eugene, but it was more because it was evident that Noll needed this. He needed to find Eugene and piece together the visions that he'd had, but in all honesty Taniyama-San, some of our longstanding business relations suffered because we sent him before he was ready.'

She paused here, and Mai waited.

'Lin then explained that you worked hard to try and balance Noll's... Lack of people skills and try to mitigate as best you could. Then Mori spoke up and said that it was possible that Noll was different whilst he was in Japan, because of you.'

'Because of me? I think there must be some kind of mistake.'

'I don't think so dear, you should see how Noll is here, and then I think you'd understand. In Japan, according to both Lin and Mori, he would poke fun at you, tease you, and smirk, and occasionally, even smile! I don't think I've seen him smile once, not properly, since he came back here. In Japan, he showed an interest in his work and research, and I heard he was interested in you as a test subject because you might have some latent abilities? I heard he even lent you some books that he'd written himself, the very first copies he had published! Of course, you wouldn't have known until after that he was the one who wrote them!'

Mai looked over at her bookshelf and reached out her hand. She traced down the spine of Oliver's name, pulled it out, and opened the first page. There it was in the print information. '1st edition.'

'I also know he would go out of his way to keep you safe.'

Mai, suddenly feeling bashful, rubbed the back of her neck and put the book back. 'I just used to be a massive danger magnet. I didn't have much in the way of self-preservation back then, I acted on instinct and impulse too much. Naru would have done the same for anyone else.'

'I'm not so sure on that, Noll is a very calculating person, and is very practised in weighing up risks and finding new ways to get himself and others, out of danger with the least amount of trouble. From what I've heard, every time there was a remote possibility that you could be in danger, he would come running to your aid, and as you may know by now, Lin was tasked with keeping Noll safe. Noll would act first to save you, without calling for Lin. He was reprimanded by his chaperone multiple times for acting rashly when it came to you. In the end, Lin told me he just left one of his Shiki with you on cases, so he'd be alerted first if you'd gotten yourself in trouble.'

'...I don't know what to say.' Mai recalled during one of their last cases where she'd hit a nerve with Naru and his pride, and he'd used his PK energy to the point of detriment that put him in hospital. 'I don't know if I was always good for him, that time he ended up in hospital… It was because of me. I'd pushed him into doing something rash. You must have been so worried and being so far away, too.'

'I won't lie, I was worried, and I was very upset at the time, but don't blame yourself dear, yes, you riled him up into acting, but you couldn't have known how unstable his powers are without Eugene. If it had been anyone else pushing him, I don't think he would have acted so rashly. His pride stopped him from wanting to look useless in front of you. Yes, your words were sharp, but he pushed himself too hard, I don't blame you.'

Luella went to continue talking, before stopping and starting a couple of times, clearly struggling with what to say next.

'Taniyama-San-'

'Please, Mrs. Davies, just call me Mai.'

'Then you must call me Luella.' Another pause, this one shorter. 'I don't know how to phrase what I want to say next, so I'm just going to say it, I want you to come here. To England.'

'What?'

'I understand you've just finished your first year in Parapsychology at Tokyo University. I want you to come over here, to England, as an exchange student.'

'I'm sorry, I'm not following.'

'Mai, you're a very talented student, I took the liberty of reaching out to your university to test the waters as to whether this could work, before I reached out to you, and should you agree, the whole thing can be put into motion.'

'But why? I mean, England is so far. it's the other side of the world. Why?'

'Whether you believe it or not, Noll was different with you. He was different in Japan. He wants to go back to SPR, I know he does, but he's currently working on his second PHD, and he can't uproot again right now. As I said before, he's also not ready. I want to see if your presence in England helps to pull him out of his funk. He refuses to interact with anyone around his own age, but I have a hunch if it was you, it would be different and I know despite how he can come across, that you cared for him, and in his way, he seemed to care for you, too.'

'Luella, I did try to reach out to him. He wasn't interested in keeping in touch. We haven't spoken since he left, I don't think he sees me the way you say.'

'I will admit, the no contact from his side is confusing, to say the least. Despite him being my own son, there are times when I don't fully understand him. Selfish as it may be, though, I still want to try, I still want you here. If there's even a chance, it might be beneficial to Noll. Of course, this is very selfish, but it will benefit you too.'

'Benefit?'

'Martin and I can write you a glowing reference, as you know, we are well respected in our field. We can also get your work experience at BSPR. I'll be honest, my hope is that you'll do at least a year here, and then maybe you and Noll can both go back to Japan, after his studies are complete and you can work with him at SPR again? I know I'm getting a bit ahead of myself there with that last bit.' Luella let out a chuckle.

'I know it's selfish of me, but I worry for Noll. As you know, Martin and I took the boys in as orphans and losing Eugene, I lost my child, but Noll lost half of himself, as well as his last blood relative. If there's a chance you can be good for him, I'm willing to take it.'

'I don't think I can live up to your expectations, I think you'll be disappointed, Luella.'

'Please don't worry about any expectations, I just wish this to be seen as an experience and a year spent studying aboard, and maybe you can find out more about your abilities? I understand you have a part funded scholarship? That can be transferred over.'

Mai was quiet.

'I hear your English has come a long way in the past five years. I don't expect the language barrier will be an issue. Forgetting any expectations from me, are there any other reservations?'

Mai took up English more seriously after Naru had left, spurred on by him calling her stupid. Back when she was in high school, she did have thoughts of studying in England but that would have been in part, to follow after Naru. When he wasn't interested in staying in touch, Mai kept up her studies, but the part of her that fantasised about finding a way to go after him had faded away. But now, five years after he had left, she was being offered the opportunity that she'd dreamed for at sixteen?

'It's just, I've never really been abroad before? My whole life is here, in Japan, I have friends at university... It's just all too sudden.'

'I understand dear, it's a big ask from a selfish, old lady. I'll give you some time to think about it. Martin and I have plenty of room here at home, and the university is close.'

Mai felt herself blushing, live in the same house as Naru?

'Or if that's uncomfortable, your scholarship will part fund accommodation, and we'll sort out the rest. Of course, if it really doesn't work, we will arrange for you to be sent back. There are grants and funds available to support you during your time here, and any work done with BSPR will, of course, be paid.'

'...I need to think on it.'

'Of course, my dear, I'll phone you back same time next week, or if you want to talk to me sooner, just give me a ring.'

Mai put her phone down, pulled her knees to her chest, and rested her cheek on the cool skin there as she watched the rain begin to fall from the bedroom window. 'England, huh...'

When Mai was back at university on Monday, she arranged to meet up with Keiko and Michuru. The three girls, despite doing different courses, had luckily ended up at the same university. Keiko was doing fashion & and photography, and Michuru had ended up doing journalism. The three girls met up at the campus coffee shop.

Mai filled her two long-term friends in on the situation. Keiko was the first to get over her initial shock.

She balled her fists and pumped them in front of her. 'I think you should do it!'

'Ehh, just like that? Move to Japan, for Oliver?'

'No, not for Oliver,' She shook her head, and her pigtails, worn lower now, than in high school, wiped around the base of her neck. 'Forget about him for a minute,' She grasped Mai's hand. 'This is such an amazing opportunity for you! Of course we'll miss you like crazy, but think about it, a year, in England?! I'm so jealous! From what you've said Mr & Mrs Davis are highly revered in your field, you could get so much knowledge and experience you could bring back with you, it'll really help you get a foot in the door anywhere you like!'

Michuru nodded. 'I agree with Keiko, I think it's a good opportunity too. You've been struggling to tap into your powers on your own, haven't you? You've not really been able to use them much in the last five years, I think this will help you get some guidance.'

It had taken a while for Mai to open up about her time working at SPR and the powers she had demonstrated during cases, but since she lost her spirit guide in Gene, she'd not been able to astral project and her post-cognitive dreams were strictly tied to cases. Her instincts still seemed to be fine-tuned, but that's all that had remained.

'What does Takashi-San think about it?' Keiko said, suddenly looking pensive.

Mai blinked. 'I haven't spoken to him.'

'You haven't spoken to your boyfriend about this?' Michuru asked.

It was a valid question, but Mai didn't really know how to answer. She twiddled her thumbs. 'I don't know, things just haven't felt right recently. And I know he wouldn't approve.'

Michuru reached over and placed her hand on top of Mai's. 'What makes you say that?'

'He asked me how long I was going to continue playing around before I switched to a 'real' university course.'

'What? He really said that?'

'What does he count as a real course then?'

Mai shrugged. 'History, English, Japanese, Business, something like that. I told him that I'm passionate about Parapsychology, but he just held his hands up and said, 'Alright, alright, learn to take a joke already.''

Mai leaned her head in her hand and gazed at both of her friends. 'But this isn't the first time he's referred to it as 'following a hobby.' The time I spent working with SPR and some of the powers I developed, he doesn't really believe it was any more than my imagination, either. Especially since I can't physically do anything to prove I have powers.'

Keiko was suddenly impassioned. 'Like you need to prove anything to him! How dare he?!'

Michuru, ever the calmer one, placed a hand on Keiko's shoulder and gently pushed her back into her chair, where she'd begun to rise from it in frustration.

'It's a shame about your powers, but even from what you said about Masako-San, a mediums powers, especially for a woman, can ebb and flow, even I was surprised to hear from you that she is actually the real deal, and not just a TV personality.'

'So, where you thinking of ending things with Takashi? I must admit you have seemed a bit down lately... How long have you been dating now?'

'Coming up to around six months, I think?' Mai reached up and messed with her fringe. 'I just don't like how he doesn't seem to be supportive of me, and then when I call him out on it, just for him to tell me to chill out because it was a joke... It just doesn't sit right.'

'It's gaslighting behaviour.'

Keiko and Mai both turned to look at Michuru. 'Gaslighting?' They asked in unison.

Michuru nodded. 'I'd like to think he doesn't fully intend it as that, but you think he's being unsupportive, and when you call him out, rightfully so, he says it's a joke and to lighten up. Makes you question yourself, right?'

Mai nodded.

'I think if you want to go to England, you should do it. And if you really don't think Takashi is supportive of you as it is, then maybe it would make for a clean break?'

Mai nodded, 'You think I should do it?'

Both the girls nodded. 'Do you feel like you can trust Mrs. Davis?'

Mai nodded. '100%.'

'She said she'd arrange for you to come back here, didn't she? If it didn't work out, that means it's risk-free.'

'What about Oliver, though?'

'I wonder if he's still as dreamy as he was...' Keiko wondered absentmindedly.

'Keiko!' Michuru admonished her, 'Yes, he was very attractive back then, but get your mind out the gutter!'

Mai laughed. She didn't know till now that she needed this. Unconditional love and support from her two best friends.

'You know what, you guys are right. Luella said that this was a selfish ask, and she knows it's possible that Oliver just won't care about me being back around again, but you know what? That doesn't matter, I can do this for myself and focus on the benefits it'll give me. Of course, I'll feel bad if nothing changes for Oliver, but I can't focus on that. It's too much pressure.'

Keiko nodded, once again impassioned but for a different reason. 'That's our Mai-Chan, you got this!'

'I'll speak to Takashi later.'

'Keep us posted on how it goes, we're here if you need us, okay?'

I hope you enjoyed the first chapter, please drop a review and let me know what you think! I feel like the Ghost Hunt community has been simmering down recently, it'd be great to hear from you guys! In terms of updates, I've pre written a fair bit of material, so updates will be weekly, like Saturday/Sunday.