Chương 3: Little Lost One's

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It's been about a week since Mai and I have started our office jobs as part of SPR. We come in after school, make sure Naru and Lin aren't starving themselves, and do some general cleaning and maintenance. Mai makes hundreds of cups of tea, and I'll make snacks and pretend not to notice Naru and Lin's sweet tooth. I end up baking a lot of cookies and biscuits for the tea.

Additionally, we do a lot of filling and translating of papers into either English or Japanese, with me double checking Mai, who is decent, but not a native speaker. I find myself rather pleased with my new coworkers, although Mai has nearly strangled Naru several times already, and Lin seems to dislike her for some reason. It's good money, nice work, and luckily, Sora is taken care of. We have a few housewives and grannies that we know well nearby, some of which are guardians to Sora's friends, and they've happily volunteered to watch him alternating days so Mai and I can work, refusing to take money for it, too. Yeah, we've carried some groceries or helped them garden here and there, but we weren't expecting that much kindness, and I am genuinely touched by that level of generosity and heart warming community.

"Mai, tea…and cookies." Oh, my, looks like someone needs his munchies. I snicker.

"Mai, we're getting a guest soon, so make extra," I tell her. Naru sticks his head out of the door to his, and I almost cackle because the motion legit reminds me of a gopher coming out of a hole. "Yes, Boss, a case is coming. One you'll like, promise." Naru disappears back into his hole, and I shake my head, laughing silently. Good thing too, a bored Naru is also a pissy one, according to Lin.

I stand up, stretching, and decide to check up on the older man. I knock, and when he acknowledges it, I dart in. "Hey. How's it going?"

"Well, just finishing some research for Naru." he says neutrally. He's got a mask as solid as Naru. But, thankfully, he doesn't seem to dislike me like he does my Mai. As much as I feel for her, figuring shit like that out alone is part of growing up, so I've decided to stay out of it for once. At least for now. If he gets too mean, I'll fuck him up, though.

I hum, "Hey, I hope you won't misunderstand my intentions, but can I ask you something?" He straightens, pulling his hands away from his keybored slowly, and shifting towards me. I take his silence as acceptance and continue, "You aren't Japanese, I don't think. Are you perhaps Chinese or Taiwanese?"

He seems surprised, and slightly wary, but not upset. "Yes, Hong Kong."

"Ah, ok. And do you prefer being considered Hong Kongese instead? I understand that the political state is delicate there, and that separatist sentiments are hugely popular among the people." Now Lin seems down right pleased.

"I support the independence movement, but still consider myself Chinese, so either works. Thank you for asking." he says, voice rather soft. Yay, friendship progression. Respect and interest carry you a long way with that. "What about you?"

I grin, always excited and proud of my heritage-whatever it is at the time. "Half Indian and Japanese, but a citizen of here and Britain."

"Interesting. Naru and I are from near London."

"Sweet. It will be good to have someone to talk to in English again. Anyway, a clients coming soon, so we'll be free from Naru's angst soon. Thought I'd let you know there is light at the end of the tunnel at last."

Lin lets out a warm chuckle, and it's honestly a lovely sound that I'm gonna try to pull from him at every opportunity. Crisp autumn air brings the scent of chocolate and coffee, and moonlit frost sparkles.

Lin gathers up his things and follows me out just as Naru settles in the main area, and Mai brings out tea. The doorbell rings just as everyone settles, and a women walks in. Heck yeah, nailed that timing.

"Hello, Ma'am. Welcome to SPR. Please have a seat," I say gently, tipping my head in greeting. Fear, worry, nervousness, hope. Yup, seems like a legit case.

"Good afternoon, my name is Noriko Morishika. My family recently moved to a new residence, and… I believe it may be haunted." Mai sets a cup in front of her, and pushes the biscottis over. She takes it gratefully.

"Please continue," Naru states as Lin begins typing away.

"There's something strange about that house. The furniture will rattle all by itself, I'll hear knocking on the walls of rooms when I'm the only one home, and doors will constantly open and close all by themselves."

"There is something else, yes. Something more concerning you?" I prod, my intuition guiding me.

Noriko slowly nods. "Yes, my niece is acting strange, and it seems like everyone is on edge more. I think they're frightened, but my niece's behavior is a bit troubling."

"How so?" Naru asks, leaning forward, interest sparked.

"I'm not sure how to explain it, but it's like she's become withdrawn." That's interesting.

Ghosts feed off energy and emotion. It's not uncommon to hear of them influencing people to heighten feelings in their territory in order to get stronger. This is part of the reason why some spirits will deliberately scare people, and why spiritualists have to learn how to suppress their own fear. This influence doesn't need to be a full possession or anything, it's just an effect of a human's natural ability for empathy. Sure, Mai and I are considered empaths, but all humans have the ability to a certain extent as a biological function to ease communication between one another. That's why spirits can so easily influence a group of people, even those who aren't "empathetic," at least as I understand it.

After asking a few more questions, Naru accepts the case, and Noriko leaves. It takes exactly 2.2 seconds for Naru to round on us. "Mai, what did you feel?" he demands.

"Um, not much honestly. She just felt worried about the whole thing. She was unsettled. What about you, Tsukiyo?"

I shrug, "That's what I got as well. I'm not really sure why I felt so strongly you should take this case. It just feels like this haunting isn't going to be what it seems." I tilt my head, reaching for answers I didn't have. "It might be a difficult case for some reason."

I twitch at the actual delight from Naru, who snaps his notebook shut. "Excellent. I needed a challenge. We leave early tomorrow, don't be late." And then he vanishes back into his dungeon, door clicking behind him.

"Drama queen," I mutter. Mai's giggles for the rest of our shift.

XXXXXXXXXX

"Hey, we're here and we brought breakfast," Mai cheers, skipping up to the van, me trailing behind her. I wave to the two guys waiting for us, not ready to speak yet. I pull my hood lower over my head, my sunglassses not blocking as much light as I'd like, irritating my eyes.

Lin takes my bag and puts it in the back with Mai's. I hold out two thermoses to him, wiggling them silently in offering.

"Coffee?" He asks, low voice a rumble. I hand him the right thermos and a paper cup, before handing the tea thermos and a cup to the big boss, whose in the middle of rilling Mai up for his own sadistic amusement. Then, I hand Lin a container of sugar cubes and a stirring rod, making him laugh quietly for some reason.

"Mai-nee, Bahji!" My head whips up confused by the sound of my brother's voice coming from down the street. I here running feet, and quickly set my own coffee down, bracing myself.

A small body makes impact and I end up partially sitting in the back of the van, a tiny sibling clinging to me like a particularly sticky octopus. "Sora. What are you doing here, Little One. Did something happen?"

Sora giggles, "Mai-nee forgot her phone charger, so Aoi-kun and his big brother walked me over here to give it too you guys. I'm glad we made it!"

"Ah, crap, I knew I was forgetting something!" Sora un-succtions from me to give her her own hug and charger.

I tilt my head in the direction I feel two familiar auras in and wave, calling out a thank you. Naru's voice from beside me startles me. "Whose this?"

I reach out for Sora who tucks himself between Mai and I, gripping my skirt, but standing tall. "This little gremlin is my heart and soul, my baby brother Sora. This is Kazuya Shibuya, or Naru the Narcissist, and Lin Kojo, my boss and coworker."

Sora stares at them rather intensely for a moment in that way only kids can get away with, before suddenly bowing his head shallowly. "Thank you for hiring my sister, both of them actually. They are rather happy working for you. Please take care of them."

Startled, Naru nods, and if he's a little flattered, well, I'll let it go this once. Sora turns back to me, arms raised. Huffing, I crouch and pull my little buddy tight against my chest, squeezing him tightly and covering his face with kisses, his giggles warming my chest. Nuzzling my cheek against his, I let go, if a bit reluctantly. He hugs Mai once more, who also kisses his cheeks, admittedly with less smothering than I. After that, he walks back to his friend who he will be staying with while we're gone. Mai and I wave him off before climbing in the van with the guys.

Truthfully, I'm having a bit of seperation anxiety myself. I've been with Sora near constantly outside of work and school ever since my parents died. This will be the first time we'll be separated for so long. I know it's apart of growing up and all that, and I've been through it in so many lives, but…it still kinda sucks.

"He…seems like a good kid. You seem very close." Naru verbalizes as we drive away. I share a grin with Mai.

"Thank you. We're very proud of him."

XXXXXXXXXX

The house is honestly pretty badass, with both Japanese and Western elements. It's rather large and well furnished on the inside, and the place is the kind that would normally warm my heart and make me plan for all the shit I want in the future house I buy with my future money. The garden for Mai and the big kitchen for me, and a comfy room for Sora.

But all I can feel in this house is grief, pain, and longing. I can barely breathe under the force of it. I have to focus on Mai to keep myself from being swallowed by it. This is a graveyard full of lost and dead children, and it my heart aches. I duck my head and keep my glasses on, greeting Noriko, her sister-in-law Kenna, and little niece Ayumi with a smile and unseen tears, unable to speak. Next to me, Mai is much more somber than usual, her hand finding mine, and we take comfort in the shared sadness.

But her abilities are different from mine, and she can't hear the whispers behind a corner where no one should be, or the sobbing and whimpering that's suddenly cut off, or what sounds like the dragging of chains. Mommy, mommy, I wanna go home. It hurts- I clench my teeth, keeping a bland smile over them. There is very little in any world that can upset me faster than harmed children. And this home is teeming with them.

Noriko kindly shows us to the room we'll be using as a base. I carry equipment without a single noise, trying to use the time to shove down the lump in my throat, but it's difficult when the cries through the walls are making my already shitty eyesight worse with tears I don't want to shed. It's not long after that that Ayako and Monk, as we've affectionately dubbed Houshou, show up. They've been hired as consultants, or contractors with SPR for cases where their specific expertise may be useful.

"Hey, if it isn't Jou-Chan and Tsukuba-hime!" Monk calls cheerfully as he strides in. I'm not sure why Mai was dubbed Little Lady, and I, a princess, but I think it's cute, and I like the monk well enough for him to get away with it. Besides, you can't nickname someone without expecting one back, I think wryly.

"Hey, " Mai replies subdued, and I nod my head, frustrated by the fact I am totally about to be outed. I may not be stoic, but the feelings I express routinely are the ones I want shown. It may be calculating, but I like emotional control. The problem is that these aren't really my emotions to be controlling.

"Hey, what's going on here?" Say what you want about Ayako, but the women had a high EQ. Mai and I shift uncomfortably at the sudden attention focused on us. I know Lin had noticed something, as observant as he is, but Naru might as well be a brick with how oblivious he can be to emotions around him. That much is painfully obvious from the single week I've been on his payroll. Now, however, the full brunt of his razor sharp gaze is on us. Yeesh.

"Jou-chan? Princess?" Monk carefully approaches, and gently removes my big ass sunglasses. There's a sharp inhale at the reveal of my glassy eyes and damp lashes, and then Monk is whirling around pointing wildly at Lin and Naru. "Alright, it's only been a week, who the hell is responsible for committing this grave sin of making a beautiful little princess cry!" Ayako smacks him with her purse, but joins him in yelling at the two males of SPR.

I let out a weak chuckle that's part sob, and duck behind Mai to hide my face in her upper back and shoulder as it just crumbles. Somehow, I was amused, mortified, and a little touched at the same time.

"Wait! It-it's not them." The chaos stops abruptly, everyone focusing on my best friend. "It's the house. There's a lot of grief here. Enough that she's been trying to regain control for the last two hours. Even I can feel it pretty strongly despite not having her kind of empathy."

"You two should have said something sooner," Naru stated, but he doesn't feel very angry about it.

"Tsukiyo needed a bit of time. Let me grab some tea, I think she'll be ready soon." I pull myself away, nodding and settling into a chair, my head tilted back. My hood slips off as I stare at the ceiling, forcing my face blank and the moisture from my eyes. I feel my magic swirling, and it's comforting.

Mai comes back with tea, and everyone settles down, drinking quietly. Gathering myself, I pull my hair free from the elaborate braided bun, closing my eyes and letting curly hair pool into my seat, working my fingers through it, something that lets me focus and one of the reasons I always keep it long.

Mai settles behind me, working her own fingers into the giant mass, making me smile. With a shaky breath, I start. "There…there are a lot of dead children here."

"Damn," Monk says quietly. The mood darkens significantly.

"I can't tell how many. Maybe near ten." I say grimly, mostly steady now that I have something to focus on, "There is someone else, but I can't feel them clearly. Maybe they are out of range. The children seem to be calling for their mothers. That's all I know right now. Truthfully, Masako would be better for this. I don't have much experience. This is simply not one of the abilities I have refined.``

"Could there be a poltergeist here?" Mai asks. "I don't doubt you Tsuki-nee, but judging by Noriko's description it seems likely, especially considering women are often the cause of them. Perhaps Noriko doesn't get along with her sister-in-law."

"I'd buy it. That Kenna woman seems like a piece of work." I have to bite my lip at that lack of self awareness from Ayako, even if I'm growing fond of her.

"Amateurish at best. Noriko is in her 20's and poltergeists are more likely to be caused by teens or adolescents. She doesn't meet the age requirements. Now, it is true that there are cases of women being sensitive to the paranormal, so I'll consider that in my final decision."

I patted my fuming friend whose anger is giving me a fantastic distraction. I need to find a new anchor. I've had one in every life, but I haven't yet found one that will work in this reality. Without one, I'll keep getting swept away like this. It's fucking humiliating. I gotta get it together.

After that, the investigation continues on, with Mai disappearing in a huff to get away from our pain in the ass boss. Or at least that's what she hissed under breath as she stormed off.

XXXXXXXXXX

Naru decides to do his little hypnotism thing just to rule out human caused poltergeist activity. He plans to make the suggestion about a vase in the living room moving, but I don't really want to watch. While it's a totally valid technique, my other lives have pretty much ruined possession and mind control for me. Not necessarily in a traumatized way, although that's part of it, but also in a "Fucking try me, Bitch" kinda way. I end up needing to overly validate that I can free myself. If it is someone I trust, then I can and have been fine with it, but while I feel Naru would never abuse the technique, I don't know him well enough. Maybe it's just because I'm a control freak… Actually, yeah, that's probably it.

"Hey, Boss, can I do a walk through while you do your hypnotic suggestion."

"Can you wait?" He asks, blandly, looking over the monitors with Lin.

I grimace, "I could, but I'd rather not be around for this." Both men paused, and turned around to see me and I just stare back evenly.

"Have you, by chance…had a bad experience with it?" Naru asks, his voice low, and I was actually close enough to see the intense look in his eyes.

"All that power, and you couldn't even protect your lover. Pathetic."

"She can still be used for breeding."

"Kill him."

I felt my lips curl into a snarl at the involuntary memories before smoothing out again quickly, but both men must have seen by the tensing in their body language. "I'd merely rather not waste time when I'm not needed."

Naru stares, not missing my careful dodge at all. "Why does every conversation we have leave me with more mysteries than answers?"

My jaw unhinges in incredual disbelief. "I know you of all people didn't just ask me that, Mr. Ka-zu-ya." I give him a pointed look making it clear how little I believed that was his name.

He scowled, although it was sulky. "Know it all."

There's a moment of stunned silence before I turned my head to Lin who was just close enough for me to make eye contact. We both fucking lose it. I damn near howl in laughter, and even Lin was bent over trying to get it together.

"Fucking hell, mate. Does no one have self awareness around here?" I wheeze out.

Naru had a hand covering his face but I could feel the tiny bit of begrudging mirth, which honestly makes it even better. I can't help the silly smile on my face, feeling thoroughly rejuvenated. "Walked into that one, did ya?"

Naru easily sidesteps that comment neatly. "Lin, go with her and make sure nothing tries to silence her big mouth."

I giggle, feeling much lighter, and end up putting on my best southern drawl. "Oh, I get Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome as an escort? My, ain't I fortunate? A real gentleman!" I pretended to swoon, and to my utter delight, Lin merely begins to fan me. I cackled gleefully before giving him a dainty curtsy. Lin in turn crossed his hand at his waist, giving me a shallow bow, before offering his arm. I took it and bounced out the door ignoring Naru's exasperation, judgement, and mutters about corrupted assistants. The grin curling at Lin's mouth was definitely worth it. Naru is fucked now that I know Lin has a sense of humor after all. This is gonna be great!

XXXXXXXXXX

"Okay Lin, there is a fair chance I'll slip into a vision. If that happens, I might fall unconscious or keep moving. If it's the latter, I might still be able to feel or hear you, but maybe not. In any case, it's fine. Just let me do my thing unless it looks like I'm hurting myself, or going to hurt myself. Alright?" Lin nods, serious once more. Simply stepping out of base was a completely different feel and our mirth has died immediately. Mercifully, the children were still around, but quiet, and farther away.

As we pass the living room, I pause. "It's scary in here. Possibly dangerous. We won't go in now, though." Something's lurking.

"I'll make a note," Lin murmurs next to me.

I decide to head outside to give the others space to do their suggestion.

As we step outside onto the back deck, the world shifts and I find myself in another time, daylight streaming down instead of the dark night and stars that should be there. Even after lifetimes of visions the crisp clarity always pulls at my heart, and I've never forgotten to relish the few moments of perfect eyesight I have in them. I can still feel Lin's arm under my hand but not see him.

"Lin, I've entered a vision."

He inhales softly next to me, "I understand."

Hearing something in the distance, I turn towards it. I point, "Lin, what's this way?"

"A pond." He replies from somewhere above my head. I walk forward, but Lin stops me. "Sit on the floor."

I crouch and do so, my legs sliding off the edge of the porch. I feel him place my hand in his other one before his arm wraps around my back, and I'm gently lowered off the edge.

"Thanks."

I flinch at hearing a child laughing nearby. Walking forward for a bit, I let my feet guide me rather than what I'm Seeing. My body turns on intuition and I see the pond. There is a woman close to the edge. She's not from this time, and she's on her knees in front of the water. I flinch as her wail rends the air, a sound of pure, heart wrenching loss, a scream of defiance to the kami themselves.

"NOOOOOO!"

I blink, and the vision from the past is gone. Something tells me to go back, so I do. I glance over, and I can vaguely make out Lin next to me. "Hey, I'm back, but my eyes are acting up."

"Did you find anything?" He asks in a barely audible tone.

"I think so." I tug on a chunk of hair. "There was a woman. She was-grieving seems like a lacking word for what that was. She was sobbing by the lake."

We stop, and I turn to Lin, confused. There is a brief pause. "We're back at the porch." He reaches out and places my hands on the wooden edge, and I easily boost myself up.

"Ah, my bad, I forgot to mention that my abilities take a toll on my eyes. They will return to the normal amount of blindness soon," I huff.

"Please don't take this the wrong way, but the amount of vision you don't have is hard to comprehend, especially considering how independent you are. In the office, I would never be able to tell there was something wrong with your eyes unless I saw you reading, and even then I would just think you needed glasses."

I pat the arm I'm holding. "Yes, I'm pretty good in familiar spaces with steady lighting. The biggest issue is that a vision can come out of nowhere and temporarily blind me. But don't feel bad about asking me things. That's far better than assuming my capabilities. Besides, I'm not usually sensitive about it, and I enjoy joking about it."

We make it back to base to find everyone watching the monitors and Lin helpfully guides me over to a seat. "How did it go with the suggestion?" I call out.

I jump when Naru's voice suddenly comes from next to me, not having been paying attention to him. "It worked, obviously," I shake my head at the ego right there. "How about you? Did you get anything?"

"Yeah, the children are quieter now. I Saw a woman from not so recently by the lake. She was screaming her grief, overwhelmed by it…"

It's silent for a moment before I feel Naru sit in front of me. "Was there something else?"

I hesitate, "It's just a theory. I don't have any evidence to back it up. It's not even clearly indicated from the things I've Seen and felt."

"It doesn't matter. All theories will be carefully considered and tested." Idiot scientist. The thought drifts past my mind, making me smile even though it doesn't feel like it was from me.

I shake my head, considering the situation. That woman's grief, I recognized it. That soul shattering guilt and horror, the feeling of failure like your soul is falling apart. Like the sky is coming down and there will be no more good days. That combination and level of emotion is specific. I comb my fingers through the ends of my hair again. "I assume, as a professional, you probably know the legend. It's, um, it's called La Llorona. I'm not sure how to translate it." I blink spots out of my eyes, as my eyesight starts returning, and I feel a spark of understanding from Naru, as well as excitement. Lin seems to also be intrigued.

"You're more knowledgeable than I thought."

"Thanks. So glad to have met your expectations! Your Majesty. I can die happily now, " I drawl, my whole head rolling with the amount of sarcasm I'm letting out.

"WAIT!" I flinch at Monk's booming voice, nearly punching him in my surprise. I shoot a venomous scowl in his general direction. Sheepish, confused, curious- Monk. "Sorry, Princess. But, back to the point, the rest of us need a translator. Was that Spanish?"

"Yes, it translates to weeping or wailing women. There are many versions globally, but Tsukiyo is referring to the Mexican and Latin American versions specifically. It's a story that varies, but a woman marries a man and has children with him. He grew disinterested in her, although he paid attention to the children, and eventually cheated on her. Some versions say she killed the children in jealousy. Others say that they were lost to her some other way. In regret and despair, the women drowns herself, or some form of commits suicide. Some iterations say she was barred from heaven for her crimes, others say she simply remained, but all the stories have one thing in common. Her spirit wanders looking for her lost children, stealing and killing other children in hopes of finding them. Although another version states she only goes after cheating men, I don't think that's what Tsukiyo meant." I nod in agreement.

"Wait, you think a women murdered her child?"

"No," I shake my head, "not necessarily. I think a woman might have lost her child and killed others looking for them. A replacement, or mistaken identity. Then again, I haven't actually seen the other entity, I only Saw a vision. It's just…the grief and all the lost kids here. It's just a thought."

"We'll keep it in mind." Lin states.

There is running down the hall, and Kenna bursts into the room. Fear, confusion, worry. "Come quick," she pants.

A lot of scrambling ensues, and someone grabs my hand, but I just smile, patting the familiar hand and giving it a small squeeze. "Go on. I'll be fine. Hurry!" I wave them off with a smile, and reluctantly Naru lets go. I've got a strong suspicion he's only ok with touching me because I can calm his powers, but that's fine with me. If I can keep him from blowing up a city block, and my paychecks from stopping, I am just fine being a personal brat soother. I have to wonder if he is touch starved, though. That might be a problem for his mental health that I should watch for.

XXXXXXXXXX

I can hear the team running around upstairs, and downstairs, and I can here things moving around. But, I'm not really paying attention. I'm more focused on the little child that's peeking out at me from behind a chair.

"Hello, Little One,"

I can mostly see her as she inches forward. Little footsteps pitter pattering and a chain rattles along the ground after her. She appears at my side reaching out, and I feel some hair shift. I smile, remaining as calm and soft as possible, forcing my energy to remain warm and relaxed.

I give the ghost child a wink. "Wanna play a game?"

XXXXXXXXXX