2 New Meetings And Discoveries

Masako Hara was beginning to feel that coming to that place was a serious mistake. Once she put a foot inside the mansion she felt like throwing up. The mixed feelings of hatred, sadness and fear were vastly oppressing, and even if she steeled herself away from the external interference, it was already hard to breath. This was by no means a regular haunted place, this was more like the lair of an evil entity whether it was a monster or demon. There was so much negative energy accumulated around that nothing good was going to come from it. Can a place like this even be cleansed? She was having her doubts, even if the great Oliver Davis himself was leading the investigation. If it wasn't for her overwhelming pride and the fact she really didn't want to lose to Mai, she would have walked back out and left that hellish place behind.

Why Naru was called to a place obviously haunted by a monster was beyond her reasoning. He usually would have declined the offer, even if Madoka did ask for it. He wasn't particularly prepared to hunt monsters and he had already told them so not long ago. Even if his psychic abilities were amazingly strong, the strain it would put on his weaker body could definitely kill him on the spot… so why did he actually take the case? Why did Madoka even suggest it? What was so special about the place that Naru was not only willing to risk his own life, but theirs too? She just hoped he had a very good reason behind all that madness. In any case, she needed to keep her focus on finding what was going on in that creepy old castle.

Behind her the monk was looking suspiciously left and right, deep in thought. The inside of the mansion wasn't exactly helping with the gloomy atmosphere. Tokigawa found it a little too dark for his taste. The shogi doors, while new, seemed to fade while looking at them, the more you stared the older they seemed. It was colder inside than outside too for that matter. The long hallways were wide and covered with paintings of various animals and landscapes. On itself, the paintings where breathtakingly beautiful, but they kind of made you feel watched and unwanted. Restoring the whole thing should take, at the very least, many months by the looks of it. Only a half of the hallways were done. The rest were just…creepy, full of dark themes like demons, monsters, fire and blood. Just like taking from myths of old scrolls and more violent times.

He noticed the cameras posted here and there in some of the open rooms on both sides of the hallways. He guessed that Naru would be short of equipment on a place that big, but for some reason the entrance hallway was fully covered. It was probably because of the disappearance of the females of the house, and precisely because of that he was worried for Mai's safety. He knew that something will come after her sooner or later. He wasn't sure if the girl simply had an extreme lack of good luck or if she somehow stood out in an odd way, attracting spirits like a moth to a flame. Whatever the case, he won't let anything happen to her this time around and that also goes for Ayako and Masako as well.

Just when he began to become disoriented from all the hallway's turns, Naru and Lin finally came to a stop in front of a wide shogi door also full of paintings. Although some of it was covered with charms. This was without a doubt a base, probably theirs. The shogi door slid open just when Lin was going to reach for it, revealing an old man with a friendly face. He was smaller than Lin, but at least a little taller than Mai, and he smiled at them like a longtime friend. Oddly enough, he gave Mai a strange look before he directed his attention to the rest.

"Good afternoon. You all must be from Shibuya's Company, right?" The man asked smiling. He seemed to Mai, like a nice guy. He was wearing glasses and he was more in the smaller department, but she felt like he was a kind, caring person. Much unlike her boss, who frowned when the old man took a better look at her in a displeased way. Does he even know what manners mean? So rude, the jerk.

"Yes we are, even though this little one here is the only official S.P.R member, the rest are collaborators. I'm Takigawa Housho and these people are Taniyama Mai, Matsuzaki Ayako, Hara Masako and John Brown." He said introducing them to the stranger.

"Oh, it's so very nice to meet you all. So nice indeed. My name is Akihiro Daishi, but please come in. It's not exactly safe outside the base when night falls and there is so much information to share. Come in, come in." He said giving them the space to get inside while he stayed a little apart just to reach Naru, making sure no one was close enough to hear him.

"Mr. Davis, you should take a good measure of safety for the little girl. I'm surprised you even brought her here knowing how dangerous it's become. There is no way a single spirit in this mansion will overlook her, don't let her out of your sight for a single moment. She would definitely fall victim to this monster otherwise." Akihiro said in a serious tone, making Naru drop the temperature inside the room almost a degree.

"What do you mean by that? She is a latent psychic, but her spiritual energy shouldn't surpass that of a normal medium." He said taking better control of his own energy.

"And that's where you're wrong, but it would be better to discuss this matter on a different occasion. There are still a few greetings to make." He said leaving Naru in his own thoughts and worries.

Meanwhile, just a little farther ahead, other introductions were being made…

"My name is Tadashi Naoki, I'm a paranormal researcher much like Mr. Shibuya, and the guy with a grumpy face to my left is Katsumi Seiji, a police officer that had helped in the search for his missing sister Katsumi Ryoko. And of course that handsome young man to his right is Ethan Davis, son of the current owner of the mansion Allen Davis. For personal reasons Mr. Davis is unable to be with us at the moment, but his son have full authority in whatever decisions need to be made. He is also a medium, so he knows a great deal of the paranormal world." Said Tadashi making the remaining introductions just when Naru and Akihiro where close enough to hear him.

"Amazing, so many Davis' involved with the paranormal and he is an English man too, right? Are you by any chance related to the famous Dr. Oliver Davis?" Asked Mai in an innocent way. Just like before, the temperature in the room seemed to drop a few degrees in a matter of seconds and the atmosphere became heavier. Both Masako and Naru stiffened, Lin lift his brow in amusement, Tadashi and Katsumi paled, so did old man Akihiro, John sighed, Monk and Ayako where in shock and finally Ethan smirked in delight.

"You are indeed correct, Miss Taniyama. Oliver Davis is my cousin since my father is Martin Davis' brother, it's a pleasure to meet you. If only Gene could be here…" Ethan replied in a heavily accented Japanese, stopping only when he saw Naru's angered expression behind his team.

"Humm…Gene? Who is he? Mr. Oliver Davis brother or something…?" Mai asked with curiosity, but was harshly interrupted by Naru's icy voice.

"That's enough, Mai. We didn't come here to know about Oliver Davis' personal life or family for that matter. We came to deal with the entity on this mansion, not to mention we still have a missing medium we need to find. I say we focus on what's really important and don't waste time in trivial matters. Do you agree Mr. Davis?" Naru asked while giving Ethan a death glare that almost froze the man on the spot.

"Of course Kazuya, whatever you need should be done. Maybe a briefing of the case with your team would be better, right?" He asked trying to escape Naru's wrath.

"Yes, that would be best. If you will excuse us, we are going to settle in our base. We will share tonight's findings in the morning." After saying this, Lin slid the inner shogi door to the adjacent room where Mai saw the familiar equipment she knew by heart. She was so glad she didn't have to carry half of it herself this time. It would have taken forever and she was almost sure she would have lost her way. Yay me! She mentally screamed. If only half of the cases had the base set up by the time she got in, it would be heaven!

"Before I fill you in on the latest news, Mai let down your bag inside the room behind the equipment. Miss Hara and Father Brown, go to the room to the left. Takigawa and Miss Matsuzaki, go to the third room to the right." Naru said ignoring the shocked faces of his team once the implication sunk in.

"What do you mean by that? We have to share a room with a man, and with the apostate monk no less?" Asked Ayako, still in shock and indignation.

"Who are you calling fake? At the very least I'm a monk. No one will call you a maiden in a million years, right John?" The monk asked John, who sighed yet again at the beginning of a new argument he didn't want to get involved.

"Take it easy mate, I don't think this is the time…"

"She started it first John, I have the right to…" And monk was smacked in the head from behind by the very woman he angered.

"Why you, violent old…"

"Enough! This spirit is a very violent one and as you know, women have a higher risk to be attacked here. It's not certain yet why this is happening and if it is due to the liking or disliking of women. Either way, you will not want to find out for yourself. So far, all the women that worked or stayed here disappeared soon after without a trace. Trust me, you will not want to be left alone in a room with two others and increase your chance of getting killed. Sharing your room with a man who will make sure to protect you to the best of his ability and make sure you stay in sight, not wondering on your own for any reason (he looked at Mai), will increase your chances of staying alive. Just as an extra precaution, one of Lin shiki's will be around each of you during the entirety of this case. Safety should prioritize comfort Miss Matsuzaki, so get over it. Now, go settle down in your rooms and come back here when you're done." Naru said taking a seat in front of one of the monitors.

"Wait a minute, Naru. You assigned me to guard Ayako and John to Masako, but who gets Mai covered? Is it Lin or you?" The monk asked intrigued, while Masako glared ice daggers at Mai, making her flinch at the intensity. John and Ayako sighed at the new upcoming fight.

"I will be staying with Mai. She is bound to have nightmares that will hold meaning. Since she has a tendency to forget or omit possible important details, not to mention a bad habit of going out on her own by instinct, being attacked by spirits, or falling from high places, I prefer to handle her myself." He ignored Mai's intense blushing and instead faced Masako head on when she moved forward toward him with a displeased expression.

"Why would you protect Mai, Naru? You can't use any of your powers if she gets attacked, unless you plan to kill yourself. Lin is better suited to guard her and is able to protect her if the need arises. He also has two shiki's left under his command, it's the perfect option for her." She said looking at Mai like she was a kind of evil entity that wanted to steal her precious men away.

"Miss Hara, I would appreciate it if you didn't underestimate my abilities given the fact I only lost control of myself once. I'm perfectly capable of looking after Mai and given the chance, save her as I already have done twice in the past and still lived to tell the tale. If safety is what concerns you, Lin… how safe is this base?" He asked Lin who stopped typing whatever he always does for some mysterious reason and gave Masako a more or less pitying look. It wasn't a good idea to anger the narcissist when he was the most vulnerable.

"I have created a perfect barrier with the help of Mr. Akihiro who is also a powerful onmyouji. No spirit can cross the charms posted all around our base, the sleeping rooms, and the second base from the other team. Only specific kinds of spirits are allowed to cross it. I have no doubts on my work, Miss Hara. Taniyama is as safe with Naru as she could be with me." Another death glare was directed to Lin from Masako and she stormed her way into her room with whatever dignity she had left. She was soon followed by her current partner, John.

"Do you also have a complaint, Mai? Am I not good enough for you? Do you prefer to share a room with Lin instead?" Asked Naru clearly in a bad mood, but Mai simply blushed hot like a deep red tomato.

"Hum… no, Naru. It's fine this way. I… will be leaving now." She bowed a little to him and rushed to her assigned room like there was no tomorrow, just like Masako. Although, her reason was very different indeed. Monk and Ayako laughed at the flying girl. She would have a serious meltdown once Naru retired for the night with her. That would be a sight worthy of watching, though Tokigawa had a more pressing matter at hand. He looked at Naru more seriously now.

"Just tell me one thing, Naru. If the base is as safe as Lin claimed—and I don't doubt him—then why is there a need to share room with us? There should be no need for that in a safe place, right? What is the real reason you decided it was best to partner us and I want the truth. You owe us that much at least, so we can be prepared." Naru sighed tiredly at this and thought he should have asked Mai for tea before letting her escape into the room. He was already in dire need of the hot liquid.

"Katsumi Ryoko, the medium from the other team, disappeared from a base that was properly warded. Mr. Akihiro is an expert among his kind so he knows how to make a base as safe as possible in a haunted place, yet no one seems to notice her absence. They all slept on base as an extra precaution and gave Ryoko a better sense of security, but failed miserably. I hope to prevent the same mistake by putting us in pairs. It would be easier to notice if your partner wakes up in the middle of the night and walks away from you." Naru said looking at the file of Ryoko disappearance.

"Is that how she disappeared? She just walked away while they slept?" Asked Ayako in disbelief.

"Yes. The camera outside the base captured her leaving the room at 2:00am on her own and she disappeared soon after between the spaces not covered by the cameras. She never reached the main door to the outside. She simply vanished somewhere in the hallway." Naru said feeling more tired by the second.

"Was she possessed, then?" Asked Ayako worriedly.

"Like I said, the base was properly warded. That included charms preventing possession, so it's unlikely. Oddly enough, she did seem to be in some kind of trance, like she was sleepwalking. That's why I prefer not to take things lightly and assigned each female in our group to someone who will personally take a look at them all the time. It's your duty, Monk, to make sure Miss Matsuzaki doesn't simply vanish at night. The same goes for John and me." Explained Naru and Ayako inwardly smiled. At the very least, the cold headed genius did care for his team.

"So is Mai safe been in a room on her own?" Ayako asked in alarm, looking at the door in front of her.

"Mai is been watched at this moment by two of my shiki's. She is panicking by herself a great deal in a funny way, but she's perfectly safe." Interjected Lin, just as he received one of his shiki's messages.

"Well, that would be like her, which reminds me, I accept the terms of our accommodations but you are not allowed to try any funny business with my dear Mai…" Ayako didn't waste her time smacking Takigawa on the back of his head again.

"I swear woman, you are going to be the death of me," Takigawa said rubbing his now painful head.

"You idiot, as if Naru will ever do anything to Mai. He can't even say thanks after she gives him half of Japan's tea stock in hot cups day after day. The poor thing is wasting her time and youth liking the Ice King here. You, on the other hand, don't even think about doing something perverted or…" And they kept bickering all the way to their assigned room.

Lin smirked despite himself. All the recent events rightfully amused him a great deal. Matsuzaki was certainly way off base thinking the narcissist didn't have any feelings for the girl. He predicted Noll will have a very hard time trying to sort out his bottled up emotions for her. There was also the feeling of guilt left behind if Taniyama ends up screaming her heart out in horror or agony in a nightmare. It was him who specified the allowance of spirits that mean no harm to share their experiences with their brand new dream medium. He couldn't blame Noll, since her assistance could be crucial in the case, but that didn't make it less painful in any way.

He also knew Noll didn't take Taniyama's nightmares all too well. The last time she had a nightmare in the Urado case, screaming like she was agonizing, Noll almost poltergeist the room jumping from the bed half asleep thinking Taniyama was in mortal danger. It took a few minutes to calm himself and a cup of tea for him and later for her to do the deed one hundred percent.

He can only imagine what it could do to him, having a closer experience. Amusing indeed. It's always interesting seeing his charge becoming more human bit by bit as Gene always wanted. It was a shame his other half wasn't there to witness the gradual transformation, but maybe Luella could hope to see her son romantically involved with someone else besides the other side of the mirror. Hopes come in many ways after all.

The new characters:

Daishi Akihiro-psychic old man.

Naoki Tadashi-researcher like Naru.

Seiji Katsumi-policeman and Ryoko's brother.

Ryoko Katsumi-missing medium.

Ethan Davis-son of owner, Oliver Davis cousin.

AN: Please review and let me know what you think.