Disclaimer: I do not own Ghost Hunt. All rights to Fuyumi Ono-sensei.

Chapter 6.

Centuries Worth of Sorrow.

Naru stares at the still lengthening cracks on the window, taking deep, measured breaths. Residue energy is still simmering just beneath his skin. He grits his teeth.

His cheek still throbs, but his self-aimed fury and straining mental barriers utilize all his focus.

When his reflection blinks and contorts into a worried look on its own, Naru blinks in slight shock.

Gene?

'Get a hold of yourself, you idiot!' Gene says angrily. 'You won't be able to do anything if you get stuck in an ICU.'

Naru takes another calming breath. I already know that… How is Mai?

Gene closes his eyes. 'She's fine for now. Lin's protective charm is still working. You've got time.'

Naru closes his eyes in barely restrained relief. How are you able to contact me so soon?

'About that… I would've thought you'd notice by now.' Naru narrows his eyes. 'The boundary between the spirit realm and the realm of the living has gone really thin in this place.'

…The mirror.

Gene nods.

'On the bright side, our contact is much easier. I'll have a slightly easier time flitting between you and Mai.'

And on the bad side?

Gene hesitates. 'It'll be that much easier for spirits to get trapped into the realm of the living…'

Naru clenches his fists. As well as the other way around, you mean.

Gene nods again, his face twisted in anguish for his brother's plight.

Finally, the younger twin closes his eyes. Go. I'll be fine. Take care of Mai.

Gene looks at his brother with a slight smile. 'We believe in you, idiot scientist. You can do this.'

Was there ever a doubt?

'Narcissist.' Naru's lips twitch.

"Molly, make sure to serve another batch of those dinner rolls. They're running low on table three." The head servant calls out.

Molly nods as she takes out a tray of fresh bread rolls from the oven.

The masquerade was in full swing, and over a hundred people have turned up for it. All the maids, butlers and chefs are up to their necks in work. There was always a stack of plates that need washing, wine glasses that needed refilling, food that needed to be replenished with another batch.

She simply could not be let off of work tonight; none of them were. But that didn't make her feel any better for missing the triplets' birthday.

Molly felt even worse that she'd lied to them. None of them knew she'd settled for work as a maid for the Bernards, regardless of their notoriety for mistreating their workers. So instead, she'd told them she was chosen to play for the Bernards, and was not allowed to refuse.

She resolved to take home some left over cakes for them as compensation.

But Molly was too foolish. She'd never once considered the possibility that her siblings would sneak in to catch a glimpse of their sister "play" for the Bernards in their big masquerade ball.

Until Linda, her friend who knew how the triplets looked like, tells her she'd seen them in a corner of the ballroom.

She searches and searches, but the head servant mistakes her to be sneaking out of her duties and traps her in the kitchen. When the screams began, she panics and tries to shove her way through the stampede of people rushing out of the ballroom.

The screams and roaring flames deafen her. The smoke and ash make her tear up even more, and they burn hot trails down her cheeks as she sobs.

"Andrew! Ben! Sarah! Where are you?! Ben! Andrew! Sarah!"

She doesn't see the burning wooden beam crashing down on her. In a flash, her world is awash in flames. Her back aches and burns, aches and burns. Fiery agony on skin, flesh and bone - so hot, so hot, sohothothothot…

Thomas didn't mean it.

Fred wasn't supposed to do that. He knew he was going to kill Nichola.

He knew, he knew. After all, he was doing it for him.

No, things weren't supposed to turn out this way.

It was the mask, the mask! Fred said Nichola would be wearing the silver one. He said so, he did!

He made sure Fred said Nichola would be in silver. Fred wasn't supposed to be wearing the silver. Fred was supposed to be wearing the gold one. That's what he said.

He said he wanted his brother dead. That Nichola didn't deserve the fortune. He said so, he did!

Fred promised him a good position if he inherited the firm instead. Fred said Nichola was going to throw him away. Fred wasn't supposed to lie. Nichola was the one who lied. He always did, he always did.

They'd planned this for weeks. Fred said he was going to see this through. He said so, he did! He swore he'd see it to the end, he did!

So he made sure the knife plunged deep, past the waistcoat, past the dress shirt, past flesh, past bone and into the heart. His aim had been true. He made sure it was, he did.

But the smile on his face was Fred's, not Nichola. Fred was the one under the silver mask, not Nichola. Fred was the one whose life he'd taken, not Nichola.

It was Fred's blood on his hands, not Nichola's.

Fred, not Nichola.

No, it wasn't supposed to be this way!

He didn't mean it, he swears. He was supposed to kill Nichola. It was Nichola. Nichola who was going to fire him from the firm; Nichola who stole his beloved from his arms; Nichola who sold Thomas's idea as his own. Nichola, Nichola, Nichola the devil.

Not Fred. Not Fred. Not Fred.

Thomas stared horrified as the blood seeped into carpet and stone, and Fred ceased to move. He backed away, frantic, knocking over a lamp. Thomas stared horrified as the carpet caught fire, and ate away at the fabric, at Fred's shoes, trousers, flesh-. Up the curtains, the wooden beams and banisters, the door.

Trembling, Thomas took the dagger out from Fred's chest, plunging it into his own.

Thomas didn't mean it. He didn't, he didn't.

Roberta sat in her rocking chair, eyes trained on the driveway that led up to her house.

She took long breaths, as deep as her aged lungs allowed. It was tiring labor, to keep breathing, to keep sitting. But she made each steady breath, sat past hour after hour.

Her son's letter came a month ago. He said he'd bring his wife Lucia and their son Pedro to visit in a fortnight.

That fortnight was supposed to be last week, if the date on the letter was true. But Paolo never broke his promises. He said he'd visit her, and he definitely will.

Roberta needed to see them at least one more time. The doctor told her she didn't have long; that the medicine could only work for so long.

Not that she wanted to wait too long; she sorely missed her husband who'd gone before her years ago.

But she wanted to see little Pedro one more time. So she'd wait.

She'd wait patiently, sit on her rocking chair by the window and breathe. Breathe through the hours, breathe through the pain.

Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months. Roberta lay in her bed, unable to sit on her rocking chair by the window. She couldn't believe Paolo hadn't come. He was going to miss her, and be too late…!

No, not yet… At least let her see Pedro's charming smile…

After Roberta breathed her last, a telegram came - her son Paolo and his family had met an accident on the way to visit her. The landslide crushed their carriage and killed them in an instant.

Mai opens her eyes again to her dreamscape of the Shichi Mansion. The white orbs have noticeably decreased a bit.

She wipes the tears from her eyes and cheeks, swallowing. I can do this. She thinks. Just keep at it, Mai.

Another human soul hovers close, and Mai closes her eyes, embracing yet another spirit's memories.

The tension remains thick and heavy nearly an hour after the rest of SPR arrived, and the short altercation that followed. Everyone had been silent; though despite Naru's vague instructions, they'd been quite productive - well, as far as erecting barriers and making protective charms went for productivity.

Lin had taken over coordinating with the remaining staff, including Setsuya. The remaining members from the tour group, that is, Tyler, Miyaka, Keiko, Michiru and Rika, have been left to drown in the heavy silence. Tyler is the first to crack from the pressure.

"Will someone please explain to us just what the hell is going on?"

"Hell is certainly one way to put it."

Heads swivel to turn to Naru, who finally emerges from one of the inner offices. Save for the red mark on his cheek, and the small cut on his lip, he's as cool and composed as ever. On the surface, at least. Those who've known him better wince at the frigid air surrounding him. They watch silently as he leans against the side of the empty sofa, facing the remaining guests.

"Before I explain my theory, I'd like to hear your accounts of the events inside the mansion, from the moment you entered to when we returned here. Kanzaki-san, if we may begin with you?"

Rika wets her lips, eyes fixing on her fists on her lap.

"From the beginning… Misao had been uneasy the moment we'd stepped foot in the mansion…" Naru does not miss the exchange of looks between Keiko and Michiru, nor the tightening grip Rika has on her skirt. "We've gone on a lot of similar tours abroad, you see, so we're more than used to the spooks and stories. In a way, Misao has already learned to actually tell the difference between genuine haunts and made-up stories - and well, she's always been able to handle herself either way.

"But the moment we went through those doors, Misao told me she felt weird - she was especially shaken after she was attacked in the restroom the first time…" Rika takes a shaky breath. "She told me what really happened - that the room suddenly got cold, and she somehow couldn't open the door even if it had no lock. And then, the foreign girl that appeared in the mirror… She told me, it felt like walking into a trap, or a disguised mine field - like she was being forced to feel comfortable."

The words strike a chord within Naru. In his head, Mai's voice echoes the same sentiments. It was like…I was made to feel a fake sense of ease.

"I see." Naru cups his chin in his left hand. "And then?"

Rika pauses. "A-after Misao got attacked in the restroom, I started feeling something weird - or maybe I'd already felt it, but only then really noticed it. I felt uneasy, as though a million eyes were watching me, and it got worse as we went deeper into the mansion. Sometimes I thought I would catch a glimpse of someone or something peeking from around the corner or behind a door, but when I turned, there was nobody there." Rika smiles apologetically, "I know it doesn't sound too convincing. Even now, a part of me thinks it might have just been Misao projecting her anxiety and paranoia through me, or even my own fear making things up..."

Naru nods. "That is a valid probability and is yet to be disproven. What about your accounts?" This he addresses to Keiko and Michiru. Keiko leans forward.

"Michiru and I noticed Mai acting weird the deeper we got into the mansion. She was either spacing out - as though she was seeing or watching something we couldn't - or being really cautious of her surroundings. She kept looking around sometimes as though she were expecting something bad to happen."

"Do you remember exactly when or where she started acting 'weird'?"

"Soon after we continued the tour, after Uesugi-san was first attacked!" Michiru speaks up. "The worst was when we entered the study above the ballroom. Mai even stopped us and told us to not touch the mirrors. She seemed to nearly freak out when we entered the room. I can't say I blame her, though."

Naru's raised brow prompts her to continue. "Being in that room made me feel really uneasy and nervous. I don't know how else to explain it other than that something about that room felt weird and wrong. Like I was being watched, or something was about to pop up from behind me."

"Has your other friend experienced something as well? The girl who was taken with Mai - did she seem to act strange or uneasy throughout the tour?"

Michiru and Keiko glance at each other for a moment in question, then Keiko gasps. "Oh! During the second break, after we tried looking for Uesugi-san, the four of us went to the restroom across the hall - but only Michiru and I actually went in the cubicles."

Michiru's eyes also widen in recollection. "Mai and Hanako-chan waited for us. They were talking when we went in, and so I found it kind of weird when they went quiet for a while. I think it might've gotten cold for a bit, but I didn't pay it much attention."

Keiko nods, "It seemed like it was only a short time, but when we got out, Mai and Hanako-chan were both so pale. Mai said the same ghost that had attacked Uesugi-san when she was in the restroom, had appeared to them, and pointed at them… something about joining her or something…"

Naru's eyes have narrowed at this point, thoughts going a mile a minute. He ignores Takigawa and the rest bemoaning Mai's penchant for danger yet again.

A snort breaks the short silence.

Eyes swivel incredulously at the Tyler, who's equally incredulous.

"You lot seriously believe in all this paranormal bullcrap? It's obviously all a hoax to stir up some media craze! That, or a legitimate group of psychopaths are wreaking havoc inside the damn property - as a matter of fact, it is not at all too outrageous a possibility that you people are in on it as well."

The occupants in the room shiver as the room temperature suddenly decreases. Naru puts on a cold smile.

He's snapped. He's definitely angry right now, the SPR irregulars think nervously.

"If I'd wanted to decrease the amount of stupid people in the world, summoning a demon to do it for me would be a waste of time and effort." Naru turns towards a window facing the mansion. "As it is, we have more than enough on our hands dealing with what's haunting this place."

"Shibuya-san…?" Michiru asks hesitantly, both wanting to know and afraid to understand. "What exactly is going on…?"

"There is a ghoul residing in this mansion. A gaki, a hungry ghost - it all means the same. What makes this situation dangerous to the point of life-threatening, is that this particular gaki has lingered in such a spiritually active area, for nearly two centuries. Exacerbated by the fact that it's devoured such a large number of negative, evil spirits, it's well on its way to becoming a demon - a jikininki, if you follow Buddhist beliefs."

The room plunges into silence, as nearly all occupants turn pale in fear and shock. Naru observes from the corner of his eyes as Setsuya clenches his fist, pale and silent even as several of his employees cry out in disbelief and shock.

"Originally, this was a case taken up by an older colleague of mine. However, he'd been incapacitated in the middle of his investigation, and was unable to completely exorcise the entity. He'd only been successful in sealing the entity in one of the antique mirrors in the mansion. He's since contacted me to take over and finish his job - which is why my team and I are here. This was several weeks ago, hence the seal isn't going to hold up for much longer." Naru shifts his stance and crosses his arms. "However it appears it has been tampered with, judging from the escalation of attacks most of you have witnessed earlier."

Several eyes turn to stare conspicuously at Tyler - those who'd been in the tour group, as well as the two staff members who'd been monitoring the mansion earlier, had all witnessed him touch a certain mirror - who prickles and stands up in defense.

"Are you for real? You expect me to believe you, just like that? A few people go missing inside a haunted house attraction, and you're all freaking out, completely discounting the huge possibility that this could all be some sick prank?!"

Naru's cold stare could've curdled milk. Tyler barely restrains himself from flinching.

"I assure you, Smith-san, that this is not some prank or psychotic scheme devised by me. Now, whether you believe me or not is entirely up to you, but I will not waste precious time trying to convince you. However, it would be greatly appreciated if you could avoid from becoming a further hindrance to this investigation."

"Matsuzaki-san," Ayako straightens with a start, practically sweating bullets. "Have you prepared the charms I asked you to?"

"Y-yes, it should be enough for everybody here," She replies, mentally cursing herself for stuttering.

"Bou-san?"

"This building has been secured and safely barricaded against evil spirits, and any mild attacks from that entity you claim is haunting this place."

"Good." Naru says with a nod. "Just in time; the sun is going down."

Indeed, outside the sky is awash in deep hues of red and orange; night is fast approaching. Naru sighs, straightening up and heading towards the surveillance room.

"I'm still waiting for a final confirmation of a few things. For now, no one is to go outside for anything; it'll be too late and too dangerous to leave the premises from this moment onwards.

"Thank you again, Olivier." Jeffrey held the package in his hands as though it were a sacred relic. "You've done a marvelous job, once again."

The old painter tipped his cap. "'Twas my pleasure, Jeff. Be sure to give my regards to the lovely lady, you lucky dog."

Jeffrey laughed in good humor. "Don't I know it."

He climbed into his carriage, instructing the coach to take him to his love.

In the confines of his carriage, he took off his silver wig, and unbuttoned his cuffs. Taking out his pocket watch, he looked with tenderness at the portrait of his beloved - Cecilia.

The month had been unnaturally long without her by his side. But he'd finally gotten his bill passed, and now he can finally go home to her loving arms.

"I'm coming home soon, my love. I'm sorry I made you wait so long." He pressed his lips on her portrait.

A loud thump rocked the carriage from behind. The carriage shook and trembled, and the distinct sound of a gunshot met his ears. There was a pained cry.

"What in the devil-?"

He choked on his words, suddenly finding it hard to breathe. He looked on in disbelief as blood blossomed on his chest, to the tip of the sword protruding from it. Someone…from behind…

He coughed, choking on his blood, one hand clenched around his pocket watch, another, bloodstained and brushing against the brown paper underneath which lay the painting of his beloved smiling beatifically at him.

"Ce…ci…lia…"

Mai is still crying as her surroundings dissolve back into greyscales and floating lights. After a moment, she takes a deep, cleansing breath, willing herself to let go of all the negative feelings in her spirit.

When she opens her eyes, she's mildly surprised at the changed surroundings - a street lined by old Japanese houses with tall walls and wooden gates, with a few people walking around in traditional clothes.

For a moment, she tenses slightly, expecting a pull, a tug behind the bellybutton, to drag her into the place, the mind, the memories of another sorrowful lingering spirit. But it doesn't come.

Instead, she stays unseen, unnoticed, witnessing the memory from a third person's point of view. Despite herself, Mai feels a wave of relief for the reprieve.

Then, she returns her focus on the scene.

The wooden gates in front of her are ajar. A young officer is speaking to two women - an old mother and her young daughter. Mai doesn't hear any of the words exchanged, but the somber look in the officer's stern face, and the grief-stricken ones of the two women are enough to get the gist of it.

The man suddenly turns to Mai, and she jolts in surprise. For a moment, she thinks he's beckoning her to move forward, but then someone shifts from her periphery.

Mai doesn't get to see the boy's face when he slowly trudges forward, his small shoulders quivering slightly. From his size, he couldn't have been older than six or seven. His clothes are ragged and dirty, but the women embrace him tightly, tears pouring down their cheeks.

The scene fades, replaced by children's voices. Mai turns to find a little girl in pigtails, pouting with large pleading eyes.

"Please, Aniki? You haven't played with me at all lately. You're always reading and reading those foreign books."

Mai hears a sigh, and the soft closing of a book. She still can't see the boy properly, but he's grown significantly. His height and voice suggest he's at the cusp of puberty.

"Fine, fine, I'll play with you." His tone is resigned and exasperated; yet Mai knows he's inwardly willing and eager. The little girl squeals in excitement, and they chase each other all over the place. Eventually, the boy catches up to her, lifting her up by the waist. The sound of their laughter fills the air.

The scene shifts again, and this time the girl, looking a few years older now, is sobbing.

"Don't cry, please. I'll be back in the winter, I promise," The boy says, with his back to Mai. He kneels in front of the girl, dropping his luggage as he hugs her. "Before you know it, the snow will be falling and I'll be knocking on the door."

"Promise?" She hiccups, wiping her red cheeks.

"Promise."

From behind them the two women from earlier, now evidently older, move to give their own farewells to the boy.

"Thank you for everything, Oba-san, Baa-san." He bows deeply, rising only when the younger of the two women places a hand on his shoulder.

"You've grown up wonderfully so fast, Hideo-kun." She smiles at him tearfully. "Despite what you may think, I've come to think of you as my own. So take care of yourself out there, okay? We will always be here for you, Hideo-kun."

Mai doesn't see his face, but his back is tense as he gives a tiny nod in reply. Slowly, the puzzles start adding up a little, in her head. Hideo was the child from before…taken in by his aunt and his grandmother… an orphan? The little girl… probably a cousin? Or a sister?

As she watches the tearful sendoff, Mai knows one thing. Whether they'd been blood related or not, they were family.

A man in English suit walks up the road, his hat shadowing his features. Mai realizes belatedly this is the same Hideo from a while ago, years and years into the future.

She follows him back to the big house with the wooden gates… only, there is no big house with wooden gates.

Instead, bits and chunks of the white walls stand dilapidated and overgrown with weeds. The doors are rotting, barely hanging on loose hinges.

"W-W-Wha-?"

What on earth happened?

Mai is just as bewildered.

"Kusanagi-san…?" A middle aged woman approaches hesitantly, unsure. "Is that you, Kusanagi-san?"

Mai wonders who that is, but when Hideo turns to face the woman, she assumes it's him. Kusanagi Hideo.

"Yes, yes, I am Kusanagi Hideo…"

"Oh! I am Furukawa Hitomi. I was a student of aunt." She offers a deep bow. "I offer my sincerest condolences for your loss. Fuwa Hanami-han* was a good person…and Kisa-chan was so young too…"

"'Hanami-han'? W-What are you trying to say?"

Hitomi blinks at his tone, quickly replaced by horrified understanding. "Kusanagi-san…all this time, you didn't know…? Well, I heard they had some difficulty contacting you abroad, but it's been years - I thought for sure they'd have reached you by now…"

"What are you saying? Where are Oba-san and Kisa? Baa-san?" Hideo nearly lunges at the woman, and by the barely contained wince on the woman's face, Mai figures his grip on her shoulders is painfully tight.

The man notices it too, and releases her with a muttered apology.

"Kusanagi-san," Hitomi begins, hesitantly, unable to meet his eyes.

Mai understands immediately. The doctors had used the same tone when they told her of her mother's passing, years ago. Her heart breaks for the man - she more than anyone, knows what it feels like to lose one's family. She couldn't bear the possibility of experiencing that grief for a second time.

"There was a fire, one summer night - it was so sudden. Everyone tried to help, but the drought had decreased the water supply so much… We couldn't even get past the engawa." Hitomi covers her mouth as tears start slipping from her eyes.

Hideo drops to his knees. "No… no…!"

Mai can't bear to watch any further. To be an orphan…and find family again, only to lose it again… and such a painful death too… It's a sorrow and grief a bit too close to home, and rekindles a fear she'd buried deep within her heart.

"I'm so sorry."

Hitomi's whisper echoes and ripples through the dreamscape. The last thing Mai hears is the man's broken sobs.

Mai finds herself craning her neck up at a younger version of the Shichi Mansion. The paved cement driveway is not there; only packed dirt and dust. But the fountain is working, without a single crack on the statue's stone cheeks.

Looking around, it's hard to believe she was still in Japan.

"All the preparations have been done, Kusanagi-dono."

Only then does Mai see the two gentlemen standing by the front doors. The same man from her earlier dreams is there, looking older. Beside him is the man who'd spoken, an older, but shorter man.

"Very good. You've done well, Takarada-san."

Takarada only bows in reply.

"…Has there been any word from…?"

"I'm afraid not, milord."

"…I see." Hideyo pauses for a long time. "Tell me, my friend. Am I such a deplorable person?"

Takarada looks startled. "…Milord?"

"Am I so despicable that everyone I love leaves me, one way or another?"

"…Not at all milord." Takarada looks at his master with old, gentle eyes. "If I may, perhaps it is better to think that you are merely paying in advance?"

Hideyo smiles bitterly. "So I am to do something so deplorable later on that I'm being punished for it now?"

"That's not what I mean, milord," Takarada shakes his head. "Rather, later on, you will experience something that, had you not experienced all that you have before then, would not be as meaningful or as gratifying."

"Such a beautiful possibility you have painted for me, my friend." Hideyo says, eyes distant and unseeing. "I'm afraid it is too much for me to hope for something as great as that."

His words seem to resonate deeply within Mai; she feels her heart clench tightly. A carriage arrives and stops in front of the two.

"Careful what you tell me, Takarada-san," Hideyo says finally. "…I may just take your word for it, and you'd have to take responsibility."

Mai comes into consciousness slowly. Her body feels heavy and her mind is sluggish. It's difficult to open her eyes. It feels as though she were light and heavy all at once.

Where am I? …What happened?

The familiar numbness that sets in after her astral projection sessions starts crawling all over her body. She focuses on the sensation to ground herself; concentrating her attention to each part - from her extremities and up and inward until the numbness went away at last.

But for some reason, she can't reach full consciousness. There's a tugging in her head that lulls her, keeping her from waking fully. She starts feeling cold from the inside; she'd probably shiver had she been able to move. But despite her tired mind, she manages to keep from going under completely. A patch of warmth presses against her thigh.

Pocket… charm… Charm?

Her mind struggles to keep up her train of thoughts. Why did she have a charm again? The aura it radiates is familiar…

…Ah. Charm. From Lin… Lin. Naru… attack…attack. Hanako-!

Mai opens her eyes with a gasp in realization. Instantly, the cold comes back with a vengeance, dragging her back under. She struggles, tries to hold on to her thoughts.

Naru. Must go to Naru…!

Mai loses her battle to stay awake, however she does not go under. Instead, her soul detaches itself from her body, swept away by some kind of spiritual force or current.

She barely remembers to keep a firm hold on the charm Lin gave her. She feels it pulse in her hand before she slips away.

"Masako-san?"

John cautiously eyes the young medium. Earlier, she'd been about ready to faint upon entering the premises (which wasn't exactly new…) apparently from the sheer number of lingering souls inhabiting the mansion. And every single one of them had been in varying states of negativity. She looked a little less paler once the barriers had been set up in the reception building, but John kept an eye on her out of habit.

That's how he immediately notices the sudden change in her. The young medium sits up with a start, wearing an expression of confusion and shock. Her gaze never waivers from the mansion as she walks up to the nearest window.

"Masako-san? What's wrong?" This time, other people in the room turn to look at the pair. "Are you alright?"

"What, do you think she's possessed?" Bou-san turns to Ayako, whispering, "Oi, baa-chan, you sure your charms actually work?"

"Of course they work, dumbass!" Ayako hisses in reply. "What about you?! Didn't you make a mistake putting up the barrier?"

"What's going on?" Naru reenters the main room, glaring at the bickering duo. John quickly interjects, slightly flustered in his haste to prevent bloodshed, "Ah, Shibuya-san! It's Masako-san…"

The blonde gestures helplessly at Masako, who's gaze remains transfixed out the window. "I think she's recovered slightly; her complexion's a bit better… however, she suddenly stood up and like this…"

"I see." Naru turns to Masako. "Hara-san. What's going on?"

For a long moment, it seems as though Masako would remain unresponsive. However, just as Naru opens his mouth to ask again, she finally replies. "The mansion somehow feels… different. It's not as bad as when we first came here earlier today…. there are actually less spirits around… as if they'd moved on all of a sudden."

They pause, looking at each other uncertainly.

"Could it be…?" John asks first.

"You guys don't think…" Bou-san continues. "…Mai might have something to do with this, perhaps?"

"It's highly possible," Masako says, "Mai is probably responsible for purifying the missing spirits. Spirits who've been carrying such negativity as these don't simply move on of their own accord."

Bou-san sighs with a resigned air. "Such a reckless, hardworking girl."

Naru looks at the mansion for a while longer, before sighing himself. "Stupid idiot."

"Oi! Is that what you're supposed to say when I've done such a good job?"

All eyes swivel towards the translucent version of Mai, standing in the middle of the room. Mai starts at all the attention, slightly amused by their wide-eyed stares. Heh, even Naru is in total shock. Man, I wish I had my camera right now!

"Hey guys!" She grins, left hand in a v-sign.

"MAI?!"

A/N.

*inhales* I'M REALLY REALLY REALLY REALLY REALLY SORRY FOR THE SUPER LATE UPDATE! I know, I said I'd have uploaded this before the New Year, but well... I'm just really sorry. I didn't expect to have become so busy, and all the more, I didn't expect to be stuck on this chapter for so long. Thank you for waiting, and thank you for reading, and supporting me through follows, favorites and reviews!

The dreams are really meant to be a bit disorienting, as most dreams are, and they don't always make perfect, clear sense, even if Mai is projecting into spirits' memories... after all, I don't think any person can actually recall long, distant memories with utmost clarity... I think? Well, that was my objective with the dream parts, and I can only hope it came across that way. I would really appreciate it if you guys send me your thoughts about this chapter... I don't really feel confident with this, but I couldn't put it off any longer.

Well, that's it for now. Hopefully the next chapters will be easier to write? This is actually where I've started placing more "easter eggs" for the mystery bit of this case. I hope I did it properly. Ah well.

'Til next time~!

- Miss March