Shaman King

-Past Glimmers-

Summary: We've had Yoh's story. We've had the beginning of Hana's. We've had fragments of Hao's. But what of the loyal samurai and his past? Spring rain will not always wash away the pain of the past.

A/N: I'm not sure if anyone has approached this topic, but I HAD to drill out a short story on it, 'cause Amidamaru's cool and stuff. Yes, lame excuse, but it's truthful!

Genre: Fantasy/Drama (Angst and slight romance too I suppose. Just 'cause I'm a fluff monster).

Rating: T (He lived in rough times).

I've made up the place where he lived and stuff. And some other characters for his little family, 'cause I can't be stuffed to watch the episode again and count all the other people. Mosuke will be there though. These are all oneshots and will not be in a series unless it says part I, II etc. These are all made up too.

In My Shadow

"Have you not learned yet? When I say swing down your blade, I want your heart to go with it!"

The white haired man pushed on forward, knocking the flustered child off his feet. He groaned and rubbed his sore face, smearing dirt over it. The man rolled his eyes and approached the child, gently grasping his wrist and hauling him to his feet. He winced and hid his tears.

"Amidamaru, what am I going to do with you?" the man sighed wearily, ruffling Amidamaru's growing hair. The boy was no more than a mere four years, giving his father a strong and tearful smile.

"I'll get stronger dada and then I'll fight with you when I'm big!"

The man chuckled to himself, his voice hoarse and gruff as he resumed ruffling the boy's hair.

"We'll take them on together."

"Promise?" he asked hopefully, his black eyes large in his face.

His father beamed down at him.

"Promise."

- - -

"Those that arrogant little whelp really think he can live up to him?"

The eight year old paused, giving a brief glance to a huddled group of seniors, exchanging banter. His mother had taught him it was rude to eavesdrop, but there was no harm in it surely?

"That Amidamaru boy. He's just riffraff. He'll never wield a sword with as much grace and power as the old codger of his did."

Amidamaru scowled somewhat and then inhaled a large amount of breath. He exhaled promptly and opted to leave, seeing as this was not going to aid his devastated self esteem. How did they have the heart to prod insults at him after what had occurred?

"Can't believe Sir What's his face hit the bucket. He weren't that old either."

A chorus of laughter sounded and unbeknownst to the men a silent shadow slipped away. Its footsteps picked up and grew louder, before they faded all together into the deafening boom of thunder.

- - -

"Dad? Dad where are you?!" he cried out, frantic as he pulled his way through the accumulated muck. He heard a raspy voice call out his name. His eyes widened. The agony within the tone used was more than evident. He scrambled his way towards the owner of the raspy voice, his heart beating wildly against his rib cage. The crushing blow was that the familiarity of the voice rang clear in his head. It was-

"Dad!" he yelled, stumbling towards a motionless body.

The man's head turned slightly and Amidamaru was met with glistening eyes.

He grabbed his father's wrist, tears streaming down his face.

"Dad! DAD!"

"A-midama-ru…," he choked out, coughing up blood. Unfazed by the crimson liquid the man spouted, Amidamaru began tugging slightly on his father's sleeve.

"W-what can I do? I…I'll go get help! Just-just stay here da-!"

"Amidamaru." He said more firmly this time, giving the boy a strained smile.

He lapsed into silence, gawking at his father while the tears continued to flow down his face. His father raised his arm, his calloused fingers running over the seven year olds smooth skin. He smiled weakly.

"That promise…I can't keep it, it seems…forgive me…"

Amidamaru's heart slowed as his hand drifted to his father's forehead. His expression was of disbelief, pure and utter disbelief.

"W-what are you saying dad? Don't stay negative things! L-let me just get some help-!"

"Don't worry," he stated simply, turning his eyes to the bleak sky while his fingers remained stroking his son's cheek. "The rain will turn to snow soon. It'll be beautiful. I want to be here to see it. Hey, how about you rest my head on your lap? The ground is giving my neck a rash."

His voice was so low that Amidamaru had to strain his ears to understand the words. He obliged, gently lifting his father's head and slowly lowering it until the back of it made contact with his lap. He looked down at his father, the tears falling onto the man. He was pale.

Deathly pale.

"Hey, hey!" he grinded out, hand wiping the tears away. "None of that now! I want to watch the snow. I want to feel it on my face. It is truly a magnificent sight. Will you…watch it with me?"

Amidamaru nodded absently and titled his head upwards. Here they were in the middle of a battlefield, surrounded by the bodies of many who had fought valiantly for something so meaningless.

His father died under the first fall of snow flakes.

- - -

"He's not but a mere shadow of a great man." The woman sighed, raking a hand through her ebony looks. She was clearly disgruntled. Amidamaru was being sent off to train in a private group, just because his father had been a general. Many had offered their condolences, even the king of a rival country. The king mourned for the loss of a fantastic knight, a great man and most of all, his best friend.

His wife had gotten over it eventually and was now left with a broken child who would stay out all night to watch the snow whenever it came. It was like he had a sixth sense. Even if they were in the middle of a discussion he'd stiffen and then get up without a word, leave and squat outside, the cold air nipping at him. He'd rub his arms and exhale deep breaths and look up just before those dainty little flakes fell.

His mother was aggravated to no end.

The man frowned disapprovingly at her.

"Madam, how can you say such things of your son? Amidamaru is a great boy and will surpass his father. That was what his father wanted and I'm sure will have."

She whipped her body around, glowering dangerously at him.

She calmed herself down and stared gloomily up at the ceiling.

"A shadow."

-Owari-