Juliet: Well I'm glad to see that so many people added this story to their favorite stories and story alerts. Thank you! And for the lovely reviews, as well. Like I've said, this will be a story like no other.

Mai: Oh don't flatter yourself.

Juliet: Of course not~

Mai: Disclaimer- mydarlingjuliet does not own Ghost Hunt or Nightmare on Elm Street.

Juliet: Thanks love, enjoy the chapter everyone!

Mai: No promises.

~*Life As We Know It*~

Chapter Two- Untold Discoveries

Flashback

Lin was standing over his coffee table, shocked. I approached him cautiously. "Lin?" And then I saw what had him in his state of surprise. Lying on the table was a drawing torn jaggedly down the middle, a pen sitting at its side. A drawing…of a man on fire.

End of Flashback

I refrained from touching it, but Lin took no time in collecting the piece. We both stared at it silently, side by side. "Noll, this might be what Taniyama-san saw, or reenacted, in her vision."

I nodded, "Yes that would be it. But I am curious as to why she ripped it with the pen." My guardian added, "And why it was even ripped in the first place."

He carefully closed the cover on the notebook, placing it on his desk for safekeeping.

"Lin, I will be the one to accompany her during the case. She would surely get hurt if she stayed with anyone else from the team. I trust them, but I know for a fact she would be safer alongside me."

The man's lips twitched lightly into a smile. "I suppose so. I hope you realize she will not stand for staying with you all day long. Taniyama-san is stubborn and one to protest."

I turned around, facing the wall. Of course I knew that. "I know. I take full responsibility. She may sleep with Matsuzaki-san and Hara-san, so long as a camera and mike is set up in their room. If you could, only alert Hara-san of the fact. Matsuzaki-san would question why and would not stand to have a camera in their room. I'm sure Hara-san will agree more…reluctantly. Make sure it stays to herself. Tell her I say it is under my request. Also, call up everyone, including Yasuhara-san. Let them know to meet at SPR tomorrow morning, 5:00AM. The earlier we leave, the earlier we get to Tokyo. You shall take the liberty in calling up Mai first. It is imperative she is on this case. She's already experiencing post-cognitive visions over the matter. Thank you."

With that last word I started on walking out and back into my office. "Noll." I stayed still, "Yes?"

Lin paused, pondering over if he should say what came out of his mouth next. "You really like her, don't you? I can tell how worried you are. You've seen how downcast she has been today. It may not be my place to say so but, if you love her, then take good care of her."

I spun on my heel, ready to retort on how preposterous he was sounding, but the door clicked shut in my face. I glared, frustrated, at the entry, the culprit. Walking away I muttered to myself, "I do not."

Stalking into my office I closed my own door and sat down tiredly in my chair. How ridiculous, I thought. Anything other than a work relationship with Mai? Love? Love with Mai in the same sentence sounds… It's just- I sighed. Absurd. But even when I say this, the little voice in my head wouldn't stop nagging at me.

~*Life As We Know It*~

I ran and ran with a smile on my face. Every other kid around me was being engulfed into the warmth of their parents' arms. I kept running, tripping and stumbling over things on my way. I didn't bother to check what, though. It's been two months and I'll finally get to see my mother. The war… They have most certainly kept us prisoner long enough. But I was puzzled as to why they just let us go all of a sudden. I scanned the area, searching. Soon, a familiar blob of chocolate brown hair tangled into my peripheral vision. "Mom!" I cried, turning to jump into the safety of her arms. But I didn't make it that far. I froze, terror running up my spine and gripping my whole being. My smile dropped like a weight. There, a few feet away from me was the upright and shrieking decayed figure of my mother. It was only then that I noticed that I had been tripping on rotting body parts, crisp and charred flesh. I turned around, the tears blurring my sight. I was close to gagging. How was it that even with all of these dead bodies lying around, one could be my mother? The joyous faces of my friends, children who I didn't even know, made me ache. But my mother was the only parent dead. Just mine. I sunk to my knees, rigid, eyes…hollow. The snivels of bliss sounded more like sneers. Dirt being kicked in my face. A/N: I actually dreamt this up a week ago and wrote it down. While I was typing this chapter, I thought I could use it. Works well, huh?

"Mom!" I called once more, jolting awake. A cold sweat covered my body from head to toe. Jumping from my bed, I began shakily throwing off my clothes, preparing for a shower to rid my body of the horrendous sensations that stuck when I woke up. My feet slowly slid into the chilly water bundled around the drain. I hated cold showers, but was sick of the heat. I looked down on my body, aghast. Debris covered me, clinging to the sweat I was shedding. I grasped at the soap, scrubbing ferociously at every inch of my skin. I took extra long to shampoo twice and condition. After about fifteen minutes in the shower (a new record) I finally felt clean enough to come out. By now I was freezing cold.

I wrapped up my hair in a towel and threw on a pair of plaid pajama pants and a white tank top. The dream exhausted me more than usual, and I didn't even get to speak with Gene. I held a hand up to my head, shuffling to my bedroom to throw my sheets in the laundry. As I finished putting in the detergent and clicking the 'Start' button, I shifted clumsily through my closet for a spare blanket. I ended up with an old one that I've had for years. It was large and plush, still very soft. Pink.

When I was younger, I loved the color pink. Now, not so much, but I still adored this blanket. I wrapped my body in it, stopping the wave of shivers I was producing.

I passed by my kitchen counter, taking hold of a picture of my family. Smiling, I brought it with me to my small sofa and sat down, cradling it in my arms. That dream felt so real- I mean, they all do. But, the thought of seeing my mother like that and dead… It was too much for me to stomach. I can only handle so many deaths from people close to me, and a retake of my mother's in a different scenario was no better.

I began drifting off, my head falling to the side only to jerk back upwards. I continued doing this for a few minutes until fatigue took over and my head just drooped down. Sleep was about to me claim me theirs until I heard singing, "One, two, Shii is coming for you…"

My eyes burst open like a piñata. It was no more than a mere whisper, coarse and deep.

I twisted my head around some and figured it was my imagination, attempting to lull myself back to sleep.

"Three, four, hurry and shut the door."

Okay, that was not my imagination. I curled my legs up into my chest and clutched my photo even tighter. I had a death grip on it. "H-Hello?"

It was noiseless for a moment and I had thought the voice was gone. But oh, was I wrong.

"Five, six, grab your crucifix."A/N: Okay so I'm pretty sure the Japanese have a different religion where crucifixes don't apply but I'm not sure. I could Google it but didn't want to get it wrong and offend anybody. Just go with it(; Plus, I couldn't think of anything else to put anyway.

"Who's there…?" I whispered. "Yasu-kun…If this is a joke then it really isn't funny, you know…"

"Seven, eight, will you lay awake?" I gulped lightly. I don't know, but this was more nerve wracking than the dream. I was scared senseless. I knew someone was there, it couldn't be fake. "Who is it?" I spoke softly.

"Nine, ten, you won't sleep again." My heart was pounding faster than a bullet train. I broke out into another sweat. My palms were clammy and I shut my eyes stiff.

"I'm not kidding. Please come out!" I screamed, frightened. Again, it was eerily hushed. I peeked one eye opened, and instantly regretted it. The man with the claws was right in front of my face, breathing into my nose.

"Here I am, my dear. No need for such fervent pleading." The shout that was building up caught in my throat. I was paralyzed in fear. It was something I've learned that you'd have to experience firsthand to understand how it felt. It felt like any moment now I could actually die. Everyone you love and everything you haven't gotten to do yet flashes around in your mind. All you can do is helplessly sit there and endure it. I could struggle, but it might end me faster. A single tear slid from the side of my eye. The man wiped it with his claw, slicing a thin, yet long, line into my cheek. The salt from my tear caused it to sting. I winced. He tilted his head, smiling maliciously but staying quiet.

My eyes widened as he cupped my chin in his hand. And that's when I found my voice. I know I did, because of the gut wrenching screech that came as a result.

He quickly ended it by probing my throat with one of the blades that make up his claw. It was a threat to shut up. I obeyed and clamped my mouth.

"Nice to meet you in the flesh, Mai." My body was statue still. Afraid that if I cause any sudden movements, he'd rip my throat into chunks. The man pouted. "No? Well, it was certainly nice for your mother."

I didn't think that any other words could hurt me as much as those eight did.

Every muscle in my body tensed and I went numb. He pushed onto my neck with more force. Blood trickled down onto my tank top. I glanced down at it, petrified. "Say something, Mai."

Even as I talked, the pain of the knife against me was agonizing, "You- don't know…my mother."

He chuckled, moving his little toy from my neck to my stomach. In one swift motion, my shirt was cut open and another slice had marked me. Still thin, but enough to where it hurt. "Of course I don't," He began, "She's dead. I did know her, Mai. While she was alive and beautiful, that is."

I whimpered, wiggling slightly. Don't say that, I wanted to yell. Leave me alone. The man-, who I've decided to dub as Claws, toyed with me more, leaving traces on my skin with his blade. That was the only thing that happened for long time- fifteen minutes, probably. Or five, I didn't have the guts to count. The only thing I did was watch, sickened by the sight of new cuts being engraved into my body. There was nothing for me to bite on to reduce the pain, so I settled in just taking large breaths.

"I'll see you later then, Mai." Claws slipped his knife deeper into my stomach at an unhurried pace.

I secured my eyes together once more in the pang of it all. The sensation was burning and over bearing. It was as if someone was tossing acid chemicals into my mouth and they all landed in the same spot in my stomach. I panted hard and took deeper breaths. Promptly, the knife slid out. It was fast and added more to my ache. Then I let it out, and screamed louder than ever. I poured in every feeling I had and just screamed, straining my throat and ending in a coughing fit.

~*3:25AM *~

For the third time today I awoke with startled emotions and alert eyes. I fell from my couch and landed with a thud on the ground, along with a second item falling right after me. After a few seconds of just lying there, I propped myself up and stared at the ground, gulping up air rigidly. I gathered myself and sat up, feeling terrible nips all over. Then I recalled what had happed earlier. My whole body convulsed into small spasms and I grew into a panic attack. I woke up and almost fell asleep again and then- Claws.

Claws. Claws. Claws. Claws. Claws. Claws! CLAWS! I gasped for air intensely. It was another dream, not real. Not real. I was sure of it now.

Picking myself up from the cold hard floor, I stumbled through my apartment, blinded by hazy sight. I knocked into a few things but didn't dare stop moving, terrified of falling over and not being able to stand.

I reached the bathroom with a few more scratches. My hands flew out from my sides, holding me up against the wall. Anxiously, I gave a fleeting look at the mirror across from me, puffing evenly now.

No, I thought. It was only a dream- I couldn't have come out of it hurt! My mind was racing in circles and I thought of the time I astral projected to give Masako my key.

My shirt was ripped open with numerous swirls colored crimson. A level stroke was visible on my left cheek. My throat had a smaller slash, dried blood pooled around it. The worst one was the insert into my stomach. I threw my hand up to my mouth. It wasn't as deep as I had thought, but was absolutely horrific. Red was strewn all over and it just looked like a hole that went into my stomach, a small one, thankfully. It was a massacre on my stomach. Bile crawled up my itchy throat and terrorized it into giving in. To get it over with I leaned over my toilet, dropping back on my knees and sitting as erect as possible. Bending over worsened the damage I was just observing.

The most awful was over, for now it seems. Unsteadily, I wiped at my mouth with the back of my hand. I felt like crap. Again. Crawling, I made it to the bathtub. I twisted the knob and water gushed from the nozzle. I clicked the plug down and took off what was left from my clothing. This bath was going to be hell, but it was needed. While the water filled up, I gradually arranged some gauze wrap, band aids, Neosporin, and a towel.

I was absolutely right. The bath was hell. Hell, hell would be in pain. But I'm sure there are other people in the world who have suffered shoddier. I need to be strong and tolerate it.

The second my skin made contact with the warm liquid, I wheezed. My hands seized the sides of the tub. My teeth compressed down onto my tongue to keep from whimpering any more, or scream. To just have it done with, I sunk entirely down into the tub, head and all. When I came back up, I just wanted to tear up the rest of my skin and replace it, like a snake.

I'd already shampooed my hair twice today, so found my soap and lathered up my body, being vigilant against my sores. If I had a board, I'd whack my head against it a few times to knock myself out. Soaping up, I tried to settle down some more. Be serene. Maybe three times today I've lost it- and that isn't good. I shut my eyes and counted to ten, then opened them and put on a small smile. A flow of happy thoughts took over and I cleared anything about the case, or my parents, or work. Just happy thought of happy times with happy people.

A wisp of breath left my mouth in relief. Precariously, I made my way out of my bathtub, drying off in a peach towel. Supporting myself on the counter, I leaned backwards and started applying the ointment to my cuts. It was cool and relaxing, a new sign of liberation.

I sighed, wrapping my torso in gauze wrap until I was covered from below my breasts to my belly button. For safety measures, I did a thinner second wrap. For my neck, the Neosporin helped it feel better and the hack was barely evident now. And on my cheek I went with a snow white band aid. The longer ones. A/N: I don't think they make extra long band aids, but go with it.

The thought of just putting make up over it to conceal the cut crossed my mind once or twice, but if someone noticed I was wearing makeup they'd be suspicious. As in I never wear makeup and Naru isn't stupid. Better show I have nothing to hide than to hide what I don't want to show.

Leisurely, I got dressed and ready. Lin had called me last night around eight, informing me to be at SPR at 5:00AM, and to not be late. In a sense, it was good I woke up early? I shook my head and took a sneak at the dark brown clock on my wall. It was roughly four. 3:50AM.

In slow strides, I slipped on a pair of khaki shorts with a white belt, and for a shirt I picked out a navy blue long sleeved button down. I roll the sleeves right under my elbow and the shirt ended in a v-cut above my belt. Ayako got me the outfit for my birthday. It was a perfect fit, and there was no way anyone could tell I had on my wrap underneath. My band aid stuck out with the dark colored shirt, but it should be fine. I could tell everyone I tripped up the stairs getting to the apartment and got scratched.

Tenderly, I rubbed some lotion on my arms and legs and set out for my kitchen to have a little breakfast.

The only things in my pantry that I could eat was cereal, a few granola bars, ramen, or make rice. My fridge was also just as bare- a little bit of milk, water, an egg and my freezer had a frozen fish and a waffle. I needed to go shopping soon… I stared at the waffle. I didn't have a toaster but I had a microwave. Shoving it back in its place I went with two granola bars and a glass of water. Swallowing was no easy task today. And so was chewing. What should have been five minutes to eat breakfast turned into twenty. Chew, water, chew, swallow, and repeat. The long process had my jaw worn-out.

I slid off of the stool I had been sitting on and looked back at the sofa. My blanket had descended down with me and so had my picture frame. In the haste to get in the tub, I didn't even realize that my shirt -split down the middle- was also lying there. Must have come off while I was panicky. I left to retrieve it all and clean up. Bending over was still difficult- if not harder with the gauze wrap. My knees were forced to meeting the floor once more to pick everything up. Luckily my photo wasn't scratched. I kissed the tips of my pointer and middle fingers, then pressed them against it, situating it back in its rightful spot.

Next was to brush my teeth. My jaw made that less fun than it should be, but I got the job done.

Checking on my laundry, I switched the washer sheets into the dryer and put in another set of sheets and some clothing into the washer. 4:10AM. It took fifteen minutes, sometimes thirty, to get into Shibuya and at SPR from here.

Making my way out of the apartment, I went all the way down the two flights of stairs to get to hers. It took some time, but I rushed myself to reach her quickly. My landlady was very kind and kept a spare key of my home with her. Very helpful old lady. I knocked on her door lightly, not wanting to disturb her if she was still asleep. In no more than a few seconds the entry opened up and her smiling form emerged.

"Good morning, Mai-chan. You're up awfully early, aren't you? Normally I see you running by here around seven thirty, lookin' like your life is on the line!" She chuckled.

I grinned sheepishly, "Good morning to you too, Chiba-san. I hate to ask, but I've got to get to work soon and I have my laundry in. Do you think you could…?" The woman shook her head.

"No problem, my dear. I'll be sure to check on it for you. Now hurry up, don't want you late~" Chiba-san shooed me from my spot, pushing on my stomach for me to go. I flinched and left, "Thank you, Chiba-san."

The whole way up was aggravating. My hand was rooted on the place where Chiba-san pushed down. She didn't know, but it still hurt. Looks like I'll have to be more careful with everyone around… Especially since Bou-san likes to hug. I winced in despair.

After five minutes I was back in my apartment, readying my suitcase and bag. We might be gone for awhile and Lin did say to pack for at least a week's time. I called out into the empty residence, "Bye Okaa-san, Otou-san. I'll see you soon. Wish me luck."

I stumbled with the key, but got it in the lock. I stared feebly at the stairs. I really didn't want to go back down those. My head dropped and I started for the bottom, carrying my suitcase instead of rolling it. The first case away from town when I had brought my suitcase, I rolled it down the stairs and ended up tripping over the wheels and falling. Lesson learned.

Who knew the streets of Shibuya were this busy around now? It was insane. People bustling to get to work or just random crowds of people. The train ride would lessen it so I would only be taking a fifteen minute route. I wavered it. I could have a faster walk by taking the train and be squished by numerous people, or I could stay in the comfort zone with less people and walk an extra fifteen. I made up my mind and decided on taking the longer course. Normally I use the train, anyway, so the walk would be…nice. Hopefully. I was used to lengthy strolls, anyway. The only harm would be on my abdomen.

My trek was unexpectedly comfortable. The breeze was out and it wasn't as hot early in the morning. The sun felt nice and tingly on my arms, one of life's pleasant feelings. The bird's sill chirped about town worry free and the people were much kinder at this hour of the day. When I typically scuttle to work, I constantly get bellowed at for running by. Coming to work this peaceful felt great. I might try this more often. Or not. Depending on how tired I am and if my alarm clock decides to work.

Before I knew it, SPR was right under my feet. The jet black van was parked in its usual spot. And then I groaned, glaring at the evilness in front of me. Stairs. This time, I held onto the railing coming up. SPR needs an escalator. I'm sure Naru has the money for it. I'll have to chat with him about that.

I twisted the golden knob on the door and pushed out to greet the office. Sauntering to my desk, I placed down my bag and suitcase. The first thing I did was head into the kitchen; my second home, and began making tea. My hands went to grasp the ingredients for my mother's tea but I stopped, biting my lip, and made Chamomile instead. Today I used a plain brown wood tray and beige tea cups, with a daisy hemming and mocha colored flower petals drawn onto it. The kettle whistled, telling me it was ready, and I poured the tea into three cups. There was some left over, for when everyone else got here. I place the cups on the tray and exited the kitchen after turning off the stove.

Two taps to Lin's door and I entered, giving him his tea, "Here you go, Lin-san."

Startled by my presence, he looked at me quizzically. "Taniyama-san, what are you doing here so early? It's only 4:40AM." Oh, was it?

"The early bird gets the worm?" I answered. He took the tea. "Thank you. Naru isn't in; he went to go eat breakfast across the street."

"You may go join him, if you'd like. He just left." I nodded. Pink tinting my cheeks. "There's more tea in the kettle if you want."

"Hm." I went back to said kettle and set down the tray. With a sigh, I brought one of the tea cups with me. Naru would want his tea, I thought. But it felt silly, as I walked across the street from work and into a near empty café, looking for my boss and holding his beloved tea. Why did I even fix on going?

But it was too late to leave; he'd already looked up from his black leather book and caught view of me standing at the door. I silently went over to him, "May I sit?" He nodded.

"Lin-san told me you were here so… I brought your tea," I murmured. I passed the cup over to him and he gladly accepted, muttering, "The tea here tastes terrible anyway." I would have laughed if it weren't for my neck, so grinned.

A half eaten blueberry muffin was settled in front of him. This man doesn't ever eat enough. He looked back at me again, examining my new clothes and gazing longer towards my cut. "Mai, what happened to your cheek?" I blushed and fiddled with my thumbs, "I tripped up the stairs yesterday and got a scratch. It's nothing."

He responded, "As ignorant as ever."

I glared, "What's that supposed to mean?" He smirked, "It implies exactly that." How awkward. And to make matters worse, my stomach grumbled. Curse not getting enough nutrition… I focused on my thumbs and pretended it wasn't me. Which was near impossible, because we were the only two here minus the workers and one other person.

Naru sighed and grabbed my hand, leading me to the cashier. I flushed bright red, "W-What are you doing?" He said nothing until we were welcomed by a man no older than seventeen with an apron around his neck, "Good morning, may I ask what you'd like?"

Naru nudged my shoulder, "Pick something out, my treat." Oh how I wanted to just sink into the floor…

"Um, I-I'll get," I examined the menu bored, decorated in brown and pink, and said the first thing that I saw, "A blueberry muffin, please." A hint of amusement flashed across my narcissistic boss's face. I punched his arm, more embarrassed than ever. "Naru!" I whined. Since when has he ever been this teasing towards me? And he's never offered me anything before besides paperwork and my paycheck. What is up with him lately?

The boy behind the register smiled, "Of course. And would your boyfriend like anything?" Okay, jaw drop. I was speechless. Boyfriend? So much for the peaceful morning…

Naru spoke up first, "I'm fine." I turned to him, astounded. Why didn't he say anything about that?

My muffin came on a cute little white plate and Naru guided me back to the table. "Why didn't you say anything? He thought you were my…" I couldn't even finish the sentence without laying my head on the table, "Boyfriend." I whispered, feeling ridiculous.

"What point is there in saying otherwise? He'd apologize and feel stupid. Now, the latter I wouldn't have minded, but it's still early. I saved him from a horrible day. Also, I made you feel stupid in his stead. It's a win/win situation." And how is that logical? Jerk.

I averted my eyes and munched on my muffin, "Thanks for the food." A/N: Okay I know, that's really OOC coming from Naru, but I thought it would be so cute!

Swallowing the muffin was just as menial a task as swallowing the granola bar. Simple, but still painful. I ate it anyways, thanked my weirdly behaving boss again and we departed from the café and set out for to the office.

Juliet: Hey! So, I changed it so Freddy Kruger is Japanese lol. His name is Shii. And I switched the song around to the best of my abilities, but it's pretty much the same just worded differently.

Mai: So the beginning was just plain creepy and the end was all fluffy. And OOC. Naru would not buy me a muffin.

Juliet: Of course he would, he just did. ^^

Mai: That's just- okay whatever.

Juliet: You know you liked it~

Mai: Shut the hell up.

Juliet: Ouch…Okay, violent.'

Mai: Review people.

Juliet: Yes, yes! Review! Please! Do it for the moment of fluffiness in the end! I could have actually made Mai swallowed by the floor!

Mai: One- You wouldn't cause I'd kick your ass. Two- You wouldn't cause you'd have no readers afterwards.

Juliet: Hehe…