Case 1

November 10

Mai finished recounting the details of her recent vision and as she realized existence of a giant bump forming at the back of her head, she violently shuddered. She snapped her eyes toward Ayako, fearing for a second that whatever happened in the dream also physically happened to her, but the Miko assured her that she got that injury when she fell down and Bou-san had just been a tad too late to catch her completely.

Masako reached out to her and straighted out her shirt, which was also disheveled, and said softly, "This one was your doing while you were thrashing around. It looked like you were struggling so hard to pry something off you."

Mai felt slightly relieved and looked down at her balled up fists, but then Ayako pulled her into another affectionate hug, just like a mother would, whose only wish in the world right now was to right all the wrongs done to her beloved child. She closed her eyes and let out a shaky sigh in Ayako's arms and fought back the tears coming on, feeling extremely touched by the gesture.

"It's alright, you're fine now. It was a dream..." Ayako's gentle voice soothed in her ear as she stroked her head.

The sun behind them was rapidly setting down, casting long shadows in the room. Masako gave Mai another gentle pat on the back before standing up and giving the room another look over, trying to feel any presence.

Mai looked up at her and asked softly, "Do you feel anything? Is the spirit of Chiriko-san still here?"

The spirit medium shook her head. "No, I'm sorry. Whatever was in this room is gone for now. In fact, the whole house seems too quiet." Their conversation stopped when they heard the muffled voices of Bou-san and the others beyond the door, rising louder in volume from an incoming argument, prompting the ladies to cut their bonding time short. Mai cracked the door slightly open and took a tentative peek outside. She saw them standing in a semi-circle, tense and clearly agitated at the situation and did not notice her. Bou-san in particular seemed on the edge.

"I've been telling you, I really don't know what happened. We were just walking and she was fine, the next second she crumpled on to the floor and started thrashing around and screaming at the top of her lungs. I heard her hit her head pretty hard, and then when I snapped her out of it, she looked at me with so much hate. If her vision was just like the one she had during the Urado case-" Monk sighed in frustration and rubbed his temples furiously.

"Maybe the vision was very strong this time because she hasn't had any for a while?" John offered.

"It isn't safe for her here! We should have left her behind!" Bou-san said pointedly toward Naru. When she saw the black haired boy narrow his eyes and prepare what she assumed would be a very pointed retort, Mai opened the door fully and called out to intervene.

"I'm alright, I'm alright," she said reassuringly to the monk, who snapped his attention immediately towards her and opened his arms wide to give her a hug. She automatically made a motion to embrace him back, but as she neared him the fear and hesitation overtook her mind and she shrunk back with wide eyes, slightly trembling. She didn't know if she was more terrified of the dream, or of developing a traumatic disorder from being touched by men. Mai wanted to cry, to apologize to Bou-san profusely, but she couldn't bring herself to make use of her voice.

Ayako deftly covered up for her when Bou-san blanched at her apparent repulsion of him. "She's still feeling queasy. She threw up a lot so don't hug her with your insane grip." He looked at the two of them with uncertainty, but seemed to accept the explanation and retreated several steps back to give her space.

Yasuhara approached her tactfully from the side but kept his distance. His brows were furrowed with concern and though he said nothing, his eyes spoke for him in volume. She tried to smile and said once again, "Really, I'm fine. Just shaken up a bit. The dream was... intense."

He nodded and didn't push further, seeing that she was still refusing to tell the group what happened, and then turning to Naru, said, "It's already almost six, Boss. Should we head out for now? Sun's disappearing."

This time Naru turned his eyes on her and appeared to be considering whether to push her with questions, but to her relief, decided that the more prudent course of action was to leave the premises immediately before night time took over. She breathed freely once everyone's attention turned away from her and receded back into her thoughts. "There's no way I can tell the boys... it's too... humiliating and degrading." But then in the back of her head, she knew she would have to. It could be hiding clues to their investigation that might help them solve the case quicker. All the thinking made her head spin so she pushed everything out of her mind and walked blankly. Thankfully, nothing further happened as they exited the premises.

After making sure to lock up at the base and double checking to make sure the cameras were recording, the group headed to their hotel several miles away from location. The drive was painfully quiet, even in Bou-san's car. Mai, not wanting to be left alone in a car with only men, wanted to sit beside Masako and Ayako on the way back. John offered to ride back with Naru and Lin.

-00000-

"Hara-san, tell us what you saw in the house," Naru began as he crossed his legs and leaned back into the sofa. They had just finished checking in their rooms and were now currently sitting together in the lounge at the hotel lobby where they could discuss freely amongst themselves. Beside Naru sat Lin with his computer, taking notes.

"When we did the initial walk-through in the early morning, there were definitely spirits in the house. They felt agitated as if they sensed there were many new people around. However when we got inside the house, it was quiet. There was, however, an overwhelming feeling of unease and dread permeating the house." She cast a quick glance at Mai. "It feels like the quiet before a storm. Perhaps they are waiting to see what we will do."

"Is it okay to leave our equipments there? Shouldn't we be watching the first night of our investigation in case these spirits do something?" Bou-san asked.

"I don't believe anything of note will happen tonight, so it's not necessary for us to be there. I agree with Hara-san-they are most likely just waiting and watching us curiously. If we perform a general cleansing of the house, it will perhaps taunt the hiding spirits into showing themselves and allow us to figure out what we're dealing with."

During the silence, Mai could definitely feel the others' curiousity regarding her dream, but respectfully kept quiet in fear of making her upset. That was, except Naru. He looked at her pointedly.

"Was the person in your vision murdered in the house?" he asked bluntly, making her grimace.

She looked down and answered quietly, "I... I don't know. She was hurt there, so possibly not murdered, but suicide."

Masako continued, "I didn't feel any spirits while I was there, so I think what Mai-san saw was a memory contained in that room, rather than a spirit reaching out to her. But it is very possible the woman in her vision might be one of the spirits inhabiting the house, given that her memories in that room stayed so strong. I suggest we perform a cleansing ritual in that location."

Naru nodded. "Tomorrow Yasuhara-san will research the history of the property and any noteable news relating to the place. Bou-san, Matsuzaki-san, John, the three of you will perform the cleansing. Hara-san, you will accompany them and see if any spirits stir from the ritual, while Lin and Mai stay at base and review the footage from tonight and keep an eye on the readings while the cleansing is being done."

"What about you?" Mai asked.

"I am meeting with Sugiyama-san and Hoshimi Yukina-san; she is our only lead as the other families have moved out of the town." Naru kept his gaze on her for a while and opened his mouth to say something, but figuring that he was most likely about to ask her more details about her dream, she quickly stood up.

"I'm going to get cleaned up first before dinner. These clothes have the stink of vomit! I'll see you guys later!"

The others watched over her retreating figure with worry on their faces.

-000-

Mai was only too glad to finally have a chance to bathe herself, to get rid of the nastiness she felt that clung to her body.

As soon as she entered her shared room with Masako, she rummaged through her luggage and ran to the bathroom. She stripped and sat down underneath the shower, head hung low, and rubbed the soap vigorously against her skin, particularly in the areas that the man touched during the vision. Despite her neck turning red and raw, she kept blankly rubbing it as tears silently rolled down her face. Once it was purified enough for her, she moved on to her breasts, then to her legs, and in between, scrubbing each part incessantly. The skin burned as she ran the warm water against her skin to wash away the soap, but she felt numb to it. She stood up from her stool and absentmindedly climbed in the tub, submerging her entire body up to her chin.

"It was a dream. It was just a damn dream, Mai! Get a hold of yourself!" she mentally rebuked herself. "It didn't happen to me. It happened to Chiriko-san..." As if only realizing this, she covered her face with her hands and sobbed even further, feeling disgusted at herself. "Why have I been crying for myself when it wasn't even me? I should be feeling for Chiriko-san but all I can think about is how disgusting it made me feel."

She dunked her whole head underwater and held her breath until she couldn't anymore. She exhaled every ounce of air she had, letting the water bubble up around her and finally, feeling renewed, resurfaced with new determination. "It was just a dream. I'm a professional. I can handle this. It wasn't me. It wasn't me," she said out loud.

A soft knock came from the door. "Mai? Are you alright?"

"You have been in there for a while."

Mai smiled, truthfully this time, and answered out, "Sorry Masako, Ayako. Yes, I'm fine now. I'll be coming out soon."

When she got out of the bathroom, the two ladies eyed her with concern, but she reassured them that everything was alright. "Have you guys already finished dinner?"

Ayako huffed. "As if we would eat without you! No, but do hurry up. I'm starving."

Masako held a hand up to cover her mouth. "Shibuya-san and Lin-san have decided to take their dinner to their room, so you can be assured you won't be questioned further regarding that vision."

For her incredibly (and surprisingly) thoughtful comment, Mai smiled and nodded her head. "It's alright. I think I'm going to let Naru and Lin-san know the details of the dream. It might be helpful for us. But I don't think I can handle telling Yasuhara and the others... one step at a time."

Ayako nodded in agreement. "Only if you feel okay with it, Mai. Don't ever force yourself. Even with Naru and Lin-san; you don't have to tell them everything."

"Okay, I'll see how I feel and play it by ear. By the way, what are you doing in our room, Ayako? Aren't you supposed to be sharing a room with Bou-san?" Mai raised her brow as she saw the Miko's luggage at the foot of her bed.

"I thought you'd need me here so I was going to sleep here with you guys instead."

"No, really, I'm fine now, Ayako. Thank you for your concern..." Mai got really annoyed at herself for feeling like crying again but she successfully steeled her emotions. She couldn't help but be awed at Ayako's strong maternal instinct to comfort people in need.

Masako harrumphed and haughtily said, "There is no way you're making us sleep on the same bed, Matsuzaki-san, so just go back to your own room."

"Why you-I'm here for Mai, little miss arrogant!"

"Then you share a bed with her."

Ayako huffed. "I am not fat in any way, but I am definitely fuller than you both are so it doesn't make sense for me to share a bed with anyone!"

"That's why I said go back to your room with Takigawa-san and sleep in your own bed!"

"Fine! I'll just go back to my own room!"

Feeling more lighthearted now that she's had the time to reflect to herself, Mai laughed. "Now, now, stop fighting! It's alright! No one will be sharing these tiny beds and Ayako can go back and enjoy her time with Bou-san," she said with a smile. "Really, I'm fine so no worries. Now come on, Masako and I will help you carry your luggage back to your room then we can all come down to dinner."

A/N: Wow. Sorry for the long wait. I almost lost interest in this story after Game, Set, and Match! Shameless plug here. Please come on over and read that one as well! As always, thank you for reading. Please read and review when you get the chance.