Ghost Hunters, Lies, & Money (Ghost Hunt Fanfiction)

In Which: Mai Is Masako

Day Five

7:00pm

The Koku Inn

There was a soft click as the door closed, and then there was Bou-san, standing in her room.

"I took extra precautions just to be safe-- pretended like I dropped something outside your door and had to pause to pick it up. Then double checked, but I had no tails on me. Coast was clear. Pretty good, huh? Hey, you feeling worse?"

The self-satisfied smirk pulling at his lips fell at the sight of her lying there. Mai waved his concern away, scrambling to edge of the bed to sit properly,

"I'm okay, I was just resting a bit."

Concern lingered in his features as his gaze travelled over her,

"You hardly look it. Mai, I know we have a lot of planned for tonight, but if you think you're not up-"

"No, this is it Monk. I'm fine, I promise," she reassured hurriedly, refusing to let their chance go, not to mention...

Miss Miyuki and Masako won't get off that easy.

Her partner sank into the bed beside her, his eyes trained on her unrelentingly,

"Maybe you think that, but I'm supposed to be looking out for you..." he reminded.

The tone of his voice lowered at this statement and Mai frowned, recalling Ayako's unjust accusations.

"Bou-san," she protested, taking his arm, "you do look after me. You help me, and you're going help me get answers. Tonight."

She smiled up at him, and he gazed down with the same unconvinced stare, but after a beat, his expression softened into something like bemusement, and he let out a sigh,

"Alright, alright. Does this mean you're on board for your assignment then?"

He quirked an eyebrow at her, and Mai shifted where she sat. She would have loved to give in to her desire to be irritated with her partner, as she could just feel his knowing grin. But his good humor had just returned and she had grudgingly accepted her part in operation Miyuki. She was going to distract Naru.

Still, that doesn't mean I'm excited about it. Quit giving me that stupid look Bou-san!

Mai released the monk's arm to cross her own as she answered,

"Yes, I'll keep him busy while you talk with Miss Miyuki."

Her partner's grin widened, but catching the warning look she threw him, he seemed to think better of making any insinuating remarks and instead replied,

"Great. Well that's settled, but-- as nice as it would be to discuss your plans for distracting Naru-- it's not actually what I came here for..."

Mai blinked and turned her attention back to the monk, "You mean, Mr. Miyuki."

Bou-san gave a meaningful nod, his face adopting a more business like expression.

Mai worried at her lip, talking- out loud- about Mr. Miyuki still felt strange...wrong...but she had already brought the monk in. He deserved to know the whole story. He needed to know, if he was going to help.

"Where should I start?" she began, her mind a sudden jumbled mess of ghostly encounters.

"Well, as much as I'd like the unabridged version-- we really don't have the luxury of that at the moment. The festival starts in under an hour, and before that, there's dinner. How about I ask the critical questions, and you fill me in?"