章 10: Ghost Hunt, Case Closed
Ethan
He had ran as fast as he could in the oppressive darkness of the tunnel hoping to find his cousin alive and well. From the last transmission he got, Katsumi and the rest of Akihiro's team had managed to safely pull Ryoko out and were on their way to a hospital. He was immensely glad her nightmare was already over, yet theirs was still very much alive. He kept running, now almost out of breath, until he managed to distinguish a figure ahead. Black clothes and black hair, standing up with a painful expression on his face.
"Noll!" he yelled and reached him just in time to catch the falling man in his arms. Even with the limited lighting, his face seemed pale. He had heard him yell before so he assumed he was injured or something like it that.
"Are you OK? Are you hurt somewhere?" he asked and Naru simply ignored him. He tried to push him away, but almost fell without his support. Jeez, such an ungrateful guy, he thought.
"I'm fine, just a twisted ankle. We need to find Mai, she is in great danger and I need to be there," he said, now accepting Ethan's help to keep him steady. Gene had said he needed the exorcism to take place in ten minutes, the others were probably already on their way, so he needed to find Mai as soon as possible.
"Don't worry, we will find her," said Ethan with conviction and he truly hoped they did find her as soon as possible. Noll more than anyone needed her to be fine and they were so close, so very close.
"Noll! Noll!" Another yell was heard not so far away and both of them looked behind. Soon enough, Lin's figure show up. He seemed angry with himself, for some reason, he knew the man enough to tell. He guessed it was because he wasn't there to help him when he need it the most, yet it wasn't his fault things got unpredictably bad in an instant. Still, he was late.
"It's about time," Noll said to the approaching man. Finally, everything was coming into place. Just a little longer Mai. I will be joining you soon. Be strong until then.
Ayako
"Ayako, will you be alright with just Masako and John? This could be dangerous for you, right? There are just too many spirits here…" said the Monk who was still concerned for the safety of the priestess. This place had a way of making his feelings for her overflow like a river. So many things could go wrong, so many dangerous souls, and so many fears to carry blindly.
"Just go already. I can handle myself quite well. Besides, I do have the best help I could get. Go and rescue those two before it's too late. Make me proud idiot, and don't get hurt down there. Ryoko is already on her way to the nearest hospital. Just bring Mai and Naru back and we will go back home and forget this nightmare," she said urging him down. Takigawa took the rope in his hand and readied himself for the fall. Lin had already gone in, now it was his turn.
"Just be careful, OK? John, please, take good care of them," he said to the priest who nodded in agreement. With a last look at Ayako, he went down as well. Please, just stay safe Ayako. I will never forgive myself if something happens to you. Good luck. He prayed for her safety and ran toward the small light he distinguished in the darkness.
Ayako wished him safety and then prepared herself for the coming task. She held the small branch in her hands and prayed. It was time. A sudden wind moved the leaves from the trees and she knew she had their consent. She put the small branch with a bell on it on the ground and clasped her hands together.
"I reverently pray for thy presence, deign to ensconce thyself in this unhallowed place and purify its many vessels. I ask that my humble plea may be heard, that peace and calm may be granted into this hunted place. May this place be as the High Heavenly Plain. May the gods from all corners come together. Ryn, pyo, to, sha, kai, jin, retsu, zai, zen!" she exclaimed and ghostly figures detached from all the nearby trees.
One by one John saw them enter the small branch with the sound of the bell. The environment felt different from before, more clean, more pure, just like last time. The only difference was the spirits that responded to Ayako's prayer this time were far more than those of a few weeks ago. He watched in awe as the bell keep sounding with each one. Since he came to Japan, he had witnessed many extraordinary things and he was glad to be part of them.
Once the last spirits has gone inside, Ayako silently prayed and turned to see what came her way. There, the spirits began to appear little by little. So many women, she thought. She hoped they all rested in peace on the other side and she took the branch from the ground and began to move it left and right, purifying those lost souls. She hoped the rest of the team were doing fine down there while she cleansed the tormented ones who wanted release. She would keep it up until the last one was gone.
Mai
Although she had tried her best and did her share of getting rid of spirits, the nine cuts were simply not enough to really do sufficient harm to the enraged monster. There were just too many of them and her energy wasn't at the same level. She wished Monk had taught her more. Maybe a spell or a mantra that could attack or vanquish multiple spirits at the same time. Yuki, as he was called, was having a hard time helping her to get rid of everything that was coming and they just keep appearing.
How much time had pass since it all started? She didn't know, but she really needed some help. At first, she thought she could exorcise the thing by herself. She had believed that the strength she got from the feelings of the women who faced horrible deaths in this darkness would give her the resolve she needed to truly harm the monster. And maybe if her nine cuts really hit it, that would be the case, but every time she directed the spell at it, other spirits got in her way and she failed.
"Just keep up, little one. The others are coming. It will be over soon, just let them get closer without notice," Yuki said and she renewed her spirit. They are coming, Naru is coming. Just a little more. She thought with hope and kept fighting, despite her fatigue, for a little while longer.
Just then, something odd happened. The overwhelming spirits who surrounded her barrier began to back off, looking up. The monster yelled at this, but the spirits began to disappear one by one. She felt the oppressive sensation since she came to that place lifted tenfold and she knew Ayako's ritual was taking effect somewhere above them.
"You are a life savior, Ayako," she whispered to herself and watched the monster as he tried to keep his control over the others in vain. This time for sure, her cuts will definitely reach it.
"Wait, Mai. If, you harm him too much he will just disappear somewhere else to recover. Monk will soon immobilize him and Lin will use his four remaining shiki to keep it from running away, just try to keep him focused on you a little longer until it's done," Gene said to her and she sighed. Being bait sure was hard work, yet she complied. She could always insult the thing, right? That would definitely keep it mad.
"Yeah, insult him to your heart's content, I'm sure there is a lot you can throw at him. Sorry for the bait thing, I'm sure Noll will make it up to you somehow," said Gene a little more relived now. She was doing fine on her own, even with her limited offensive spells.
"Why do you keep calling Naru, Noll?" asked Mai intrigued while watching the spirits disappear. She heard the others call him that too. She just couldn't see where the new nickname came from. Kazuya Shibuya did not resemble a Noll.
"Because his real name is Oliver, Oliver Davis," Gene responded not too sure if he should say so. Noll will get mad with him when he finds out it was him who actually said it first. My apologies Noll, but she needs to know.
"Say what?!" she almost yelled to her guide. That can't be right. How can Naru suddenly became the great Oliver Davis? Was the world ending without her noticing?
"Sorry Mai, my bad. I need to go now. Please be careful," he said running away from the coming explosion of fury from the girl. He would properly apologize later, the exorcism was going to start soon and he needed some distance from it.
"Gene!" she yelled in frustration, yet the monster threw itself at her without warning when the spirits didn't obey him any longer. There was no time to think, just act. She would get the both of them soon enough.
"What…did you…do with…my spirits?!" the monster yelled at her in anger, banging at her barrier. She flinched a bit at the repeating flashing of her protection. The thing was so very close that the image will certainly haunt her for weeks.
"What? You can't get me on your own? Is that all you got?" she asked to the thing, who tried to rip the barrier with his claws next. Oh, the nightmares she will definitely get from this later. She must have gone totally mad.
"Give them…back! Back! BACK!" it yelled deeper than ever before, resonating through the tunnel in deep anger. Mai couldn't help but be afraid of the strength of his next attack and the one after that. Hurry up guys, I don't know if this will hold much longer. She readied herself to perform the cuts if something got seriously wrong. Yuki snarled in fury too. He had more than enough of that beast. If only his master would give him the go, he would rip the thing to shreds.
Takigawa, Lin And Naru
"I can see her. Lin, can you keep it from retreating with your shiki? The other spirits are almost gone and he will focus on Mai now." Lin looked at the Monk and nodded in agreement. The poor girl should have enough fright for a lifetime.
"I need all five to make a perfect barrier and talismans properly placed for it to work, but his strength should have diminished by now. Just try to bind him and we will all attack as one. That should do it, even without John," said Lin, getting ready for the attack. He had previously done talismans for this very occasion. "Take this with you, it will weaken it even more. Now go." Takigawa carefully hurried his way toward Mai, getting close enough that he could clearly distinguish the thing.
It was hideous and it smelled like rotten meat. He had to give huge credits to his beloved Mai. Holding her ground with such a vile creature takes serious guts, even if you looked like fainting at any time. Damn, I should have come faster. Hold on Mai, I'm coming to your rescue. He took out his Vajra and the talisman Lin gave him. This time, you will be the one to be hunted, you monster. He threw his Vajra exactly at the moment the monster attacked Mai's barrier which concealed it from it. Then he made his hand seal and began chanting.
"On kiri kiri bazara bajiri hora manda manda un hatta, on amirito dohanba un hatta, on biso daraki shabezara hanjara un hatta, on biso hora dariki shabezara hanjera un hatta, on shaugyarei makasan maen sowaka!" Another barrier, with his spiritual power, was erected, surrounding the thing who looked at him surprised and rage. It was now trapped.
"Lin!" Takigawa yelled and Lin's shiki, including Yuki, attacked the monster from all sides. The monster yelled in pain with the unexpected attack and tried to fight back. At this Monk threw the talisman Lin gave him and the thing hissed in even more pain and kept yelling with each attack.
"Naumaku san manda bazaradan kan! Kyata hanjasa hadaya sowaka!" The Monk recited and more pain was inflicted. The monster tried to get away but with no way out of Monks barrier. He kept up his mantra in combination with the shiki attack, still, the thing kept trying to fight back like a mad injured beast.
Naru didn't have time to watch, he approached the frightened Mai and held her shoulders, pulling her back. She turned to look at him and buried her face in his chest. She was so glad to see him well and holding, she didn't care for the lies or true identities, all she wanted was to go back home and back to normalcy.
"It will be fine Mai. Don't watch this," he said taking her a little farther from the scene ignoring the pain in his ankle. There was still something he needed to do. Lin's shiki and Monk's mantra were having an effect, yet the monster prevailed. He knew what needed to be done and he was more than ready to do so.
"Get back Mai, I will finish this," he said releasing her, but the girl just clung to him even more. She would die first before letting him do so.
"Are you crazy?! There is no way I will let you do that again!" she yelled to him, yet she saw determination in his deep blue eyes.
"I will not use as much power as last time, this thing is already weakened by the attacks and Monks mantras. I'm not planning to get myself killed Mai, there is something I need to discuss with you when this is over. Trust me, we will see each other tomorrow morning, that I promise," he said and pushed her behind him.
"Noll, don't do it. You are not at your best either, let the others take care of it!" Gene yelled at him too, but he ignored it. He knew how stubborn he could be when he wanted. Stupid idiot, he should treasure himself more and let go of his pride.
"There is something you need to tell me Gene, and there is no escaping it. I may faint, but I will live to ask you the one thing you had been avoiding for almost a year. Now, step back Mai and let me finish what I started." The girl, however just held him tighter, if that was even possible.
"No, I won't let go! I love you Naru, I don't care if you don't love me back or if you find me irritating or something on those lines and don't want to see me again. You will not die on me, I won't let you!" she yelled while sobbing and Naru sighed. Just why did she had to confess to him in such a place and situation? He was planning to say it first too and what was with the don't love her back or the don't want to see her again? Did she seriously believed that was the case?
"Mai, calm down, I won't be dying on you. I'm certain I can do this and it needs to be done. Monk's barrier won't hold it forever. Please, Mai," he pleaded and she looked at him in surprise. He had never said the magic word, ever, since she first knew him. She let go of him with reluctance, and didn't cling to him anymore.
"Get back a little further. It will be over soon," he said and walked a little closer to the trapped monster. The thing suddenly looked at him with hatred. Perhaps he felt what was coming, it didn't matter to him. This was long overdue. Eighty years of killing was more than enough.
"Get out of the way, Lin and Monk. I will finish this," he said and Lin was going to stop him when he was thrown back by the gathering energy of his charge.
"Don't do it, Noll!" Lin yelled, yet he could feel the air pressure building up. He was truly going to do it. The fool!
Mai watched Naru's body begin to glow from head to toes and she prayed he really didn't use everything he had left. The sensation she got this time around, while similar to last time, was somewhat different. Waves of energy were still going out from him, but the pressure was not as bad. He extended one hand and fire emerged from it.
The monster, while still trapped, tried to desperately get out. His claw like hand tried to rip the barrier, and Monk flinched at this. The more the thing resisted, the more tired he got. Yet he still had enough energy for this final attack and he watched as Naru threw the fire toward the thing. There was a big blast and they were all thrown to the floor. Smoke and dust covered everything and Monk kneeled down, looking around. Part of the earth above crumbled down from the blast, giving them a more illuminate vision. The monster was no longer there. Only burning pieces that soon dissolved to nothingness.
Mai stood up and ran toward the black figure on the floor. Her heart was beating faster than ever before in fear. Was he OK? Was he unconscious? Was he even breathing? Please, don't die. She reached him before any of the others and she kneeled down next to him. To her great relief, his eyes were open and looking back at her. He was gasping for air, but at least conscious.
"Naru…" She bent down and put her head on his chest to hear his heart. It was running faster than normal, but strong. "I'm so glad. So very glad," she said crying and Naru put one of his hands on her head, which remained on his chest.
"It's over. Now, get me to a hospital, I'm going to faint soon," he said and closed his eyes. He was so tired and needed some rest. The last thing he heard before everything went dark on him was Mai yelling to Lin and Monk.
Ayako
"I think it's over, you can rest in peace now, Asami," Ayako said to the spirit of the woman in front of her. It was the same woman she saw in the forest and Masako had called her Asami. The woman smiled at her and she would have sworn she heard a thank you in the air and then she vanished. Her purification ceremony was now over and she felt the clear air move the trees. The place was now at peace. Soon after, they all rushed to help the unconscious Naru out of the hole and rushed to the nearest hospital they could find. The nightmare was finally over.
Two Days Later
"I know I'm handsome Mai, but it's rude to stare," Naru said to her and she immediately blushed. Why did she ever think he was going to change. Stupid jerk, he was back to normal like nothing happened. Well at least, he didn't fire her…yet.
"Yeah, yeah oh great Oliver Davis," she said making a deep bow. They were now in a private hospital room. Naru needed treatment after the ordeal. Although he didn't need anything major to get him in intensive care, he still needed lots of rest for his ankle and that put him in bad mood. He hated hospitals after all.
"Don't be rude to the poor thing Noll, your mother will be very mad with you. She did teach you better than that," said Madoka already making plans for the future couple. Oh Luella, there are so many things to do. She knew he didn't say anything to her, but he had been giving this vibe about being left alone and she presumed his alone meant only with Mai present.
"When will I be released? I need to go with Lin in search for Gene," he said impatiently. His brother had finally revealed his location to him last night and Lin had rushed out in search for his location with Takigawa. That morning, he had called and said he had found the place and was on his way to contact a group of divers. Now it was matter of time to find his remains.
"As soon as Ayako convinces your doctor of your almighty inhuman ability to not need rest or your inhuman body that never gets weak," she said with sarcasm that further irritated the narcissist. "I'll go check. She may need help with that doctor. He seems very strict, I will be back soon. Be good, OK?" she said with a teasing smile. Now is your time, Noll. You have her all for yourself. Oh, I should take a picture…that would be so awesome!
"I'll get you more tea, then…" Mai said trying to run away. She had tried to avoid being left alone with Naru ever since he was admitted there. She had been afraid he will say something to her about the kiss she stole or the confession she made, which she had done in the rush of the moment, not really thinking of consequences.
"Mai, there is something we need to discuss, remember?" he asked and almost smiled when she kind of shivered at his words. He guessed she was still thinking he didn't like her and he was going to give her hell for it. He sighed, she was so insecure sometimes.
"Oh… yeah, right. Um, what do we need to discuss again?" she asked blushing. Good, he liked it when she was blushing so very much.
"Let's begin with your recent actions. A kiss, for example," he said and she blushed even more. Oh man, she was now in deep trouble. What was going to happen next? Will he get mad?
"I'm sorry Naru! I did it out of impulse. Please don't get mad, it will never happened again, OK? I promise!" she yelled in embarrassment. This was going to be so awkward. Why did she have to keep acting on impulses?
"If you promise, then I guess I had no other choice," he said pulling the bed sheet out of the way and sitting on the border of the narrow bed.
"Wait Naru, I said I was sorry. I can go out if that is what you really want…" Damn, such a difficult girl who always thought the opposite of what he really wanted to do.
"Mai, just don't move or think, OK? Like I said, I got no other choice on the matter." She looked at him in confusion and he saw his opportunity. He got up and stop right in front of her. She looked at him with even more confusion. It's now or never Noll, do it already, he thought.
"Um, Naru… are you feeling OK?" she asked worriedly. He just sighed.
"This is completely your fault, Taniyama Mai… I hope you don't regret what you started. I'm not precisely boyfriend material, yet I'm willing to try," he said and pulled her closer, he kissed the girl for the first time. She did kiss him first, but this time it was all his. He kept it gentle at first, but got a little passionate when she responded back. He didn't remember for how long they kissed nor did he care. This was the first time he had truly enjoyed life. The first time he loved and was loved back.
Outside the closed door, Madoka was taking pictures like a mad woman, while Ayako smiled, seen the young couple through the little crystal window on the door. I'm glad you got your man Mai, I will get mine too, very soon, Ayako thought and also took pictures to immortalize the moment. The moment Mai's dream became reality.
A Week Later
The Ryoko case had been closed and the woman was steadily recuperating in the hospital. Katsumi had been a little busy with the Davis mansion. The police had retrieved the remains of the victims of Susumu Takeshi for proper burial and to close the case of the missing women. The total of victims was still not determined, but one or two women had been reported missing every year for the last eighty-seven years. So the total number of victims probably surpassed a hundred. The Akihiro team had remained at Ryoko's side ever since they found her.
About SPR, Naru had been released from the hospital on his second day and soon joined Lin and Monk in the retrieval of Gene's body. Mai had insisted in going too, so Naru really didn't have much choice in the matter. The body was found almost at nightfall. Naru seemed a little out of it for a while, but recuperate soon enough when his mother show up unexpectedly. She guessed Lin or Madoka called her and she took the first flight there the night before.
After that, they made preparations for their departure. Gene also needed a proper burial and his mother needed his son back for a while, not that she wasn't planning on coming back. She had seen the most interesting pictures Madoka had sent to her and she was looking forward to properly meet Taniyama Mai. Oh, she was so glad her stoic son had found his match. Yet, she grieved her lost son, now more than ever. She would have liked Gene to meet the lovely girl.
Now, they were all waiting in the airport for their departure. Mai was trying to hold her tears the best way she could. Although her relationship with Naru, now Oliver Davis, hasn't change all that much, he was still a narcissist, arrogant jerk with an addiction to tea and had no manners, they had got their moments. To be honest, she wouldn't have it any other way. If everything changed to a perfect life she would probably have lost interest. Yet she found it hard to said goodbye, even if it was for a short period.
"Make sure Madoka dosen't take dangerous cases while I'm gone. She can get overboard quite easily and make sure you always carry your charms if she takes a case. They will have to do until Lin can properly train you. I will come back as soon as I can," he said to her just when his flight was called to board. Monk and the others had already said their goodbyes. There was only them left.
"Please, call me when you get home, so I will know you arrive just fine. I know international calls are expensive, but just an 'I'm home' will do…" she said a little troubled.
"You are lucky enough to have a very handsome boyfriend who can take such liberties," he said and smiled a little when she got mad.
"Such a narcissist, I don't care if everyone else call you Noll, you are definitely Naru to me," she said bumping him.
"Naru is fine by me, it's the Japanese version of Noll, anyways… I need to go now. I will see you soon. Stay safe until then," he said lowering his face toward hers to kiss her. He needed to remember the sensation for the coming months. Three long months.
"I… I love you, OK?" she said embarrassed. They never kissed in public, it kind of attracts attention and there were a few people already watching them.
"As you should…" he replied back and easily avoided her 'kick'. She was just so easy to tease. He will definitely miss that and so he lower his head again, this time to reach her ear. "Don't worry Mai, I love you too," he said giving her a kiss on her cheek and she madly blushed, which made him smile. So easy to tease indeed.
-0-
Three months later Naru was back for business and her training with Lin began. It was exhausting and hard to keep up with Lin's regimen. She could swear, the man can be such a demon when it comes to training, yet she progressed rather well. Gene was still her spiritual guide, he had said he would only move on when he saw kids running around, which annoyed Naru to no end.
Ayako and Monk were finally going out too, although they kept fighting as usual. John was doing fine in his church and always came by, even if there were no cases. Masako didn't show in the office unless it was a request from Naru, she was more relaxed around her now that she had given up on him. Yasuhara was pretty much the same as always, but since Monk and Ayako begin to date, he had directed his teasing more to Lin's side. She could swear the man was tempted to commit murderer. As for them, she was very happy at the moment, even when taking scary cases. She gained a family and never regretted it ever since.
AN: Thank you, for reading this until the end.
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