A/N: Welcome to my shamelessly self-indulgent Ghost Hunt fic! Please enjoy, R&R, flames are used to roast marshmallows. I don't own anything except a run-away imagination and any spelling/grammatical mistakes. I promise that characters will be returned in good condition even if acting OOC.

AN II: Vaguely follows canon events, but I plan on focusing on original cases-canon events will largely just be in reference, or scenes will take place in between what is shown in the anime (which is my only source of reference). Characters more likely to be referred to by their first name or nickname. No beta, we haunt like ghosts-but I'm prone to rewriting and updating as I go. Revisions are more likely to appear on AO3 (username: allegra_vera)

AU (Major Canon Divergence): Aged-up Yao!Mai (18), slightly aged-down Lin (25), Mai has powers before SPR, Naru is an ice-cold researcher (& more than a bit of a jerk), Lin as a daoist cultivator, everyone is a little more chill and mature (sorry).

Pairing: Lin/Mai; Monk & Mai as adopted siblings (I've kept their last names the same as canon to make it easier to follow); Gene & Mai / Mai & John / Mai & Masako friendship ; might throw in some Masako/John ; likely will not turn into a Monk/Ayako story, sorry friends!

Content Warnings: Chapter 1 - none ; Future - implied/referenced physical/psychological abuse, canon-typical violence, PTSD & trauma

Chapter 1: Fateful Encounters

The old schoolhouse creaked and groaned, even though there was only a light breeze to whistle through the trees - barely audible over the sound of students chatting and laughing as they dispersed for the day. Aside from a few curious glances, most of the crowd paid little heed to the two men unloading monitors and other equipment from a large black van.

"Paranormal investigators, huh?" a tall man with sandy hair murmured to his companion, who clutched at his green jacket with small hands as they observed the men from afar. "This could complicate things, Jou-chan."

The teenager at his side didn't take her amber eyes from the pair as she stepped a little closer to her friend.

"Do you think they're ... "A frown crinkled her brow as Mai Taniyama searched for the right word,"...legitimate, Houshou-nii?"

Houshou Houshou shrugged non-committally "Probably not," he sighed as he watched one of the men-a kid if he were being honest with himself, "but let's not take any chances, Mai."

The young woman, who looked no more than seventeen or eighteen years old, brushed a wayward strand of tawny brown hair behind her ear as she nodded, considering. "Should... should I stay behind? Or..." she glanced down at her hands as she worried a strand of prayer beads between her slender fingers.

The older man's larger hands quickly enveloped Mai's smaller ones, "No, the principal has already met you -and he's paying for both of us to be there."

He sighed as the worrying continued, "Jou-chan, do you want to help? There are always other cases we could take."

Sometimes he forgot Mai still wasn't accustomed to working with other spiritualists or paranormal investigators. Not for the first time, Houshou wondered if bringing Mai with him to Tokyo had been the right choice. But leaving her alone had hardly been an option.

"Of course I want to help!" Mai's fingers stilled, and she flashed her surrogate brother a wide smile, and readjusted her jacket around her shoulders, giving the lapels an enthusiastic tug as if to prove her point.

Houshou ruffled her hair affectionately, "Then it's settled. We'll come back tomorrow morning and start investigating. Come on Jou-chan. It's getting late, let's grab something to eat then head home."

He had already taken several steps towards where he'd parked their car when he realized Mai wasn't following-him anymore. Startled, he whirled around to find see where his sister was, only to find her standing still, half-turned back towards the crumbling building. She had her head cocked to one side, as if listening. Houshou was at her side in a few long strides, looking past Mai's shoulder to try to figure out what had caught her attention.


Oliver Davis, currently living under the assumed name of Kazuya Shibuya, exited the run-down building his company had been hired to investigate. So far, however, all he ha and his assistant had found was a rotting building on the verge of collapse and a couple of schoolgirls telling ghost stories in the dark. Unfortunately, they had little in the way of useful 'information, and by the time he'd extricated himself from what had become an increasingly awkward interaction, the sun was already setting.

Koujo Lin, his assistant-and only employee- had already finished setting up their base and was standing by the van. The street was virtually empty now, but the tall Chinese man was staring intently at the alley across the way.

"What is it, Lin?" Oliver asked, knowing that Lin could see and sense things he couldn't.

The other man stood with a slight shake of his head and remained silent for another beat as he straightened his waistcoat. Brushing off his slacks, Lin turned toward his charge, "I thought I saw," he started to say, his voice even and low,"... nothing, nevermind."

Oliver raised an eyebrow but didn't press the older man. Having known him since childhood, the researcher knew to trust him if he said it was nothing-or at least that whatever it was he'd seen had little relevance to their case. With a shrug, the cobalt eyed youth turned back to the building to do a final walkthrough for the night.

Lin, meanwhile, turned back towards the alleyway, grey eyes searching for whatever his had made his shiki shrink into themselves and hide their spiritual presence. It was unlike them, especially considering he couldn't detect it himself, which in turn implied it was not particularly strong. When he looked for the source of the disturbance, however, he saw only passing cars and an empty alley.


Mai could feel eyes on her as the crowd of students thinned and the rush of traffic calmed A pale hand reached up to grasp an amulet under her shirt as the girl made a half-turn back towards the old schoolhouse. Her brother, oblivious to her distraction, had continued on ahead. Pushing the crunching of Houshou's boots on the gravel out of her mind she focused on the feeling but it had already dissipated. Mai's eyes flashed gold for a second before she felt Houshou's hand on her shoulder, his gaze shifting from over her shoulder to meet her eyes.

"Anything interesting?" Houshou murmured, tuning more of his own attention to his spiritual senses.

Nothing felt out of the ordinary, but it did not hurt to be careful. Especially with Mai around-the girl sure knew how how attract trouble-he tried to be extra cautious.

Mai blinked slowly, before shaking her head and linking her arm with her brother's.

"Some small yaoguai*, I think."

"Yokai, you mean?" Houshou smirked playfully, being used to correcting her use of Chinese terminology for the supernatural.

"No, they were yaoguai1. Yokai feel... different. They blend in easier here in Japan-their native habitat. Chinese yaoguai are more... dissonant."

"Could they be behind the school's haunting?" Houshou contemplated softly. Then, with a shrug, he dismissed the idea, "I suppose we'll find out tomorrow."

The pair had returned to Houshou's car, the sun quickly fading behind the hills and houses. Mai stared absentmindedly out the window on the drive back to their music studio. Chinese yaoguai didn't just appear in Japan on a whim- someone had to summon them. Which meant a there was either a sorcerer or an uncommonly adept Daoist priest.

I suppose... we are in Japan, so it could be an onmyogi. They might not even differentiate here. But with distinctly Chinese familiars?

The girl let out a sigh through her nose. No sense in worrying about it until later. Maybe these other investigators would be more legitimate than most of the others she'd worked with.


Lin was already regretting this job. In reality, it wouldn't be bad to have extra hands around if there was actually any evidence of a spirit, but so far nothing indicated anything out of the ordinary. The man leaned back and allowed himself a long sigh as he pinched the bridge of his nose. Everyone had left the base to finish setting up equipment and examine the premises. Even the annoying high school girl had left after her brief spat with Ayako.

The miko alone was enough to give Lin a headache, so when a new person showed up on the camera just outside base, Lin's jaw clenched in frustration. He was granted a few minutes of reprieve from the interaction, however, when he saw the monk, Houshou, round the corner and make an immediate beeline for the newcomer.

Well, that's one less thing to worry about, Lin thought, turning back to his research.


While Houshou had been expecting the paranormal investigators, the brash redheaded Miko and Australian Catholic priest had come as a surprise. The monk was glad he'd told Mai to join them later, at least now she should be prepared for whatever these strangers could throw her way. His sister had been on edge all of last night, and while sleep seemed to have eased some of her tension, Houshou preferred to scope out the situation alone to make sure it was safe.

Houshou had sent a quick text to Mai, detailing who all had arrived, before doing his own walkthrough. The monk had kept silent about the nagging feeling at the back of his mind that told him there was more to this case than met the eye, however.

No, not the case, he thought as he turned the corner to head back to base, the setup. All these spiritualists in one place?

His train of thought paused when he caught sight of scuffed, tan leather boots at the upper edge of his downcast gaze. Raising his head with an unconscious smile, Houshou waved a hand in greeting.

"Did you find the place okay, Jou-chan?" Houshou smirked at his sister, already holding his hand out to receive one of the cups which Mai carried. He breathed deep as soon as it was in his hand, relishing the rich aroma of the dark roast coffee when it invaded his senses.

"I'm here, aren't I?" Mai replied brightly and playfully stuck her tongue out. In a lower voice, she added, "I don't feel any spirits here. What's the consensus?"

"The priest and researchers are hedging their bets and waiting for more information. The miko is convinced it's an earthbound spirit, a supposedly psychically sensitive high schooler is convinced the entire place is haunted by spirits from the war," the monk shrugged and threw Mai a sheepish grin, "And I threw out the possibility of a site bound spirit-just to mix things up a bit."

Mai rolled her eyes and smirked good-naturedly, "Well I don't see any bruises, so I guess you're making friends despite feigning incompetence?"

The smart remark earned the young woman a playful punch in the arm. Mai was about to hit her brother back when she noticed something standing in the half open door behind Houshou. The monk followed her gaze before turning back to Mai with a quizzical glance. Before he'd opened the his mouth to question his sister, the base door opened fully and Mai clutched his forearm so hard as to turn her knuckles white.

Onmyoji! her voice whispered in his mind.

Under her practiced veneer of calm, Houshou could see that Mai had paled slightly. Trying to reassure his sister with a glance, the monk turned back to see who had emerged from the base. He was met with the indifferent, monocular stare of Koujo Lin—one of the investigators—and responded with an easygoing smile of his own.

"Lin-san, sorry about that! Let me introduce my apprentice, Taniyama Mai. Mai, this is Lin Koujo, he's an investigator with Shibuya Psychic Research."

Houshou's attention did not deviate from the man standing in the doorway as he unconsciously used his body as a barrier between Lin and Mai. Mai loosened her grip on her brother before taking a deep breath and bowing to Lin. She was used to Houshou introducing her as his 'apprentice'-it was much simpler than explaining the truth of their relationship and dodging accusations of nepotism.

"It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Lin-san. I look forward to working with you."

Lin returned the gesture stiffly, noting that the girl's smile did not quite reach her eyes, "Likewise, Taniyama-san."

"How does an apostate monk have an apprentice?" A cold voice cut through the uneasy silence as both Mai and Lin righted themselves.

Mai's previously calm expression shifted quickly to annoyance, and she opened her mouth to retort before Houshou held up a hand and winked at her.

"We studied at the same temple, so Jou-chan is my kohai. Since we're not formally associated with the temple anymore, I've taken on the role of her teacher," Houshou explained casually as he slung an arm around Mai's shoulders, "Well, more like Mai is my protégé."

Mai nodded in agreement, but continued to eye Kazuya with suspicion. He couldn't be much older than she was, assuming he was fully human-but Mai had learned long ago that appearances were often deceiving. Extending her senses just a bit, Mai searched for any indication that the young man was more than he seemed, but aside the aura of psychic power that echoed around him, there did not seem to be anything amiss.

Except his attitude, Mai thought to herself, and her eyes narrowed again.

"Mai," Houshou's voice brought her back to the present, and the girl blinked up at him, "this is Shibuya Kazuya, the head of Shibuya Psychic Research. He's co-ordinating our investigation."

Mai glanced between Kazuya and Lin and raised an eyebrow in surprise. This kid was in charge? Did that make the onmyoji his subordinate?! Despite her apprehension of Lin, Mai felt herself bristling with indignation at the thought of a teenager—a human teenager—was superior to a powerful onmyoji who could bind—

"Oh, someone else is helping out?"

A bright, calm voice broke Mai's train of thought. The Kansai accent caught the young woman by surprise and she looked up to see that a blonde foreigner had appeared in the doorway behind Lin.

With a smile, the boy introduced himself as he stepped into the hallway and extended a hand, "I'm John Brown, a Catholic priest and exorcist from Australia. It's a pleasure to meet you!"

"Taniyama Mai," Mai said, eyeing the extended hand with confusion for a moment before bowing hurriedly and adding, "The pleasure is mine, I look forward to working with you."

John quickly retracted his hand with a slight blush and bowed in return, "Apologies, sometimes I forget myself. I haven't lived in Japan long, I'm still breaking old habits."

"Oh, no I'm sorry! It's my fault, I haven't met many foreigners before, please forgive me," Mai waved her hands frantically, casting a pleading glance in Houshou's direction.

The monk laughed and ruffled her hair playfully, "You worry too much, Mai. Brown-san is probably the most easy-going person I've ever met."

"That's saying something, coming from you shixiong**," Mai's eyes glimmered with mirth as she looked at her brother.

Lin's eyes widened slightly in surprise at hearing Mandarin, his native tongue, a fact which did not go unnoticed by Mai or Houshou. He had originally gotten up to see what had gotten his shiki agitated and curious, but instead of a spirit or demon appearing once he opened the door, he'd sensed nothing and saw only the monk and his apprentice chatting amiably. Since his familiars had not reacted to Houshou's presence, Lin wondered if it was the girl they were interested in. He did not feel any sort of spiritual energy around her, however. Maybe she had brought something with her—something more than the coffee she sipped quietly amidst the laughter of Houshou and John. Whatever it was, however, there seemed to be no trace of it now.

"I don't know why you're all bothering, I've exorcised all the spirits here."

Mai looked up to see a tall, red-haired woman sweep into the hallway, still dressed in traditional Shinto robes. Houshou tensed up beside Mai, as the woman's dark eyes landed on his younger sister.

"Oh, another amateur kid? Shouldn't you be in class?"

"Careful how you speak to my apprentice, Matsuzaki-san," Houshou warned in a low voice before Mai placed a gentle hand on his arm.

"It's okay, Houshou-senpai," a genuine smile graced Mai's features as she looked up at the sandy-haired man. Her expression hardened as she turned towards the miko, "I have already graduated, Matsuzaki-san. As an apprentice, these investigations now constitute a large part of my education."

"Hmph." Ayako Matsuzaki turned up her nose.

Kazuya finally got tired of the bickering, and raised a hand, "That's enough, everyone get back to work."

The group dispersed, but before Mai could follow Houshou, Kazuya's voice stopped her again, "Hey apprentice. Go make some tea."

Narcissist.

"I have a name, Shibuya-san," Mai bit out, but tea sounded good so she went over to the small table that had been set up in the base with a kettle and mugs anyway.

Only silence followed her, but a pair of small golden eyes remained glued to Mai's every move, shining with a curiosity that did not go unnoticed by Lin as he watched the monitors.


* Catch-all Chinese term for supernatural beings

** Chinese term for an older martial brother

A/N: Hope you enjoyed it-all feedback is appreciated. Definitely still getting a feel for the character voices, but hopefully they'll sound more like a version of themselves as the story goes on. Fair warning, I don't think every chapter will be this long, and I have no update schedule in mind, but I will do my best.