Chapter 1
Disclaimer : I Don't own Shaman King!
Italic stands for thought / dreams
'Stands for voice from the past'
-Stands for telephone-
Underline stands for letter
"Quote stands for dialogue"
Bold stands for emphasis
Bold italic stands for a dangerous tone
I Will Steal Your Heart, part 1
Hello there, Oyamada-san, I will steal your Fortune of Mermaid tonight at 9 o'clock. Be prepared, since I expect some resistance from you, or else I will get bored.
Phoenix The Phantom Thief
"So, you found this notice on your front door this morning?" A teen boy wearing a black sleeveless t-shirt covered by aqua blue shirt, a pair of blue jeans, a black sneakers and a black hat asked the person sit across of him, an old man wearing a black tuxedo who is none other than the head of Oyamada family himself, Mansumi Oyamada.
"Yes, Prince." Mansumi answered uneasily.
"Didn't I make myself clear that I don't want to be called that when I'm out of my castle? Not to mention I'm in disguise now." Asakura Yoh as The Prince of Forestria asked in a low voice filled with threat, but his expression is calm and a smile formed by his lips.
Mansumi gulped, "I, I'm sorry." he correct himself, his body shivered when he felt a chill downed his spine.
Even if he is a Prince, Yoh dislike to be called a Prince when he is outside and in disguise, not to mention that Mansumi is Yoh's best friend's father, Manta Oyamada, there's no way Yoh wanted to be called Prince by him in public place like the restaurant they are currently in.
Yoh smiled again, but this one is an easy going smile, he is glad that Mansumi understand what he wanted. Well, more like he is scared the hell out of him when he heard Yoh's cold and calm threat that so clear in his voice, "So, what is this 'Fortune of Mermaid' that Phoenix mentioned?" he asked in carefree way.
"It's Oyamada's family heirloom, Fortune of Mermaid is a blue jewel with mermaid picture inside that set on a silver ring." Mansumi answered as he showed the picture to Yoh, seems like he had gone into work mode and forget who he is talking to, not that Yoh minded about it, he is glad in fact, "We displayed it in the Oyamada's Exhibition Building, my son said that you can help us with this problem".
Yoh nodded solemnly, he is actually has a laid back personality, but he is always enjoy it when he has something to challenged, "Sure, I will do my best." he said cheerfully, giving the old man his trademark grin, "Now, since we are in a restaurant, why don't we eat something?" he offered in friendly way.
There are many guards inside, and many people come to watch me too. Phoenix smirked as he observed the Fortune of Mermaid exhibition room from the second floor, he had passed the security in the entrance too easily, so he was a bit disappointed. He sighed in disappointment, he went through all the trouble to send the notice personally so that they will be prepared, but the security is lacking.
Just like usual, their security is lacking and I'm bored to death, if only boredom can kill someone, I'm sure I would die long time ago. Fortunately for him, there's many people want to see him in action, so his mood lightened a bit and he won't get too bored during his action later.
There's still an hour before the promised time though, so he decided to take a look at the exhibition room and prepared his way out first rather than just stay still doing nothing while waiting which definitely make him bored.
During his observation, he noticed that the exhibition room is only plain square room, like all the other rooms. There's a glass box in the middle of the big room and there are more than 10 guards circling it, Hao sighed again, that's a really weak protection for the infamous Fortune of Mermaid since the opponent is me, the untouchablePhoenix The Phantom Thief, no one can stop me from getting what I wants.
Then his eyes moved to the crowd of people, among those people inside, there's the Oyamada family, the head of the family whose name is Mansumi Oyamada and his son whose name is Manta Oyamada. He smirked at the sight of them, they are noble family and yet their body is short, that Manta boy can be mistaken as a 5 years old kid, he chuckled softly at the thought.
Then a loud scream reach his ears, causing him to turned at the crowd at the entrance of the room, "Dragon!" his eyebrows lifted, Dragon? He turned his gaze to the new figure entering the exhibition room, he can tell that the new figure is a boy but he can't see the teen's face.
The teen is wearing something like a tight black t-shirt inside a white short sleeves coat, and when he turned to face the Oyamadas, Phoenix can see a Dragon picture on his back. He also wearing a single Leaf shaped earring on his right ear, a green jeans and a simple black Ninja's style half mask that covered his lower face, a double green belts and a black boots.
The teen's clothes style is similar with Phoenix, the different is he is wearing a tight red t-shirt inside a black short sleeves coat with a Phoenix picture on the back, a pair of Star shaped earrings on both ears, a black jeans and a simple black Ninja's style half mask like the one Dragon wears, a double red belts and a pair of red boots. But he is wearing a cream colored cloak to hide his working clothes for now, even if there's only a few on the second floor, he wouldn't want to be seen before the promised time.
"Dragon, I'm glad you can come!" He heard the heir of Oyamada family exclaimed excitedly, he wodered if this Dragon is somehow related to the Oyamadas, "I was scared that you can't make it" he sighed in relief then, clearly relieved that Dragon can come.
The Dragon, well it's certainly an alias, chuckled at the short boy's antics when he jumped up and down in excitement, "There's no way I can't make it, I want to see this Phoenix, and no one will be able to get in my way." He said calmly, and for unknown reason, Phoenix knows that what he said is true and that's definitely something new for Phoenix since he that's the first time he saw the boy, then looked around, "What time is it again? The time Phoenix will show up".
"9 P.M." Answered the head of the Oyamada family with nervousness, Phoenix caught a bit of doubt in his voice, "I really hope that you can protect the Fortune of Mermaid, Dragon The Tracker".
The Dragon nodded and takes a look at the glass box but said nothing more, this makes Phoenix frowned. He felt like he had heard the name of Dragon before, he just can't placed where or when, then the piece of memory surfaces, the one he had when he was finished his training with his butler.
'Please be careful on your work as Phoenix from now on, there's a rumor that a person nicknamed Dragon The Tracker show up and successfully caught 3 thieves in a row in just a week'
Dragon The Tracker? Phoenix blinked, I heard that Dragon is a natural enemy of all type of thieves, will he be a worth opponent for me? He didn't take it seriously that time, since all the thieves Dragon had caught all this time are only weaklings or clumsy thieves. So, he decided to just shrugghed it off and thinks of how he will make his escape this time.
After he succeed in stealing the ring later, he will jumped back to the second floor using the decoration for his advantage. He turned to look at his surrounding, after he jumped back to the second floor, he will run as fast as he can to the balcony to flee.
He smirked as he worked to unlock the door, it's an easy job for him to unlocked a simple lock like the one they had in the window seeing as he is the most strongest and untouchable thief in history and all. He will success again this time, he will steal the Fortune of Mermaid and appear at the front page of the latest newspaper the next day.
"How long until the promised time?" Dragon, who is actually Asakura Yoh himself, the Prince of Forestria, asked his friend with excitement. He can't help himself but feel excited, he just like it when he know he would come face to face with Phoenix The Phantom Thief who was always appear at the first page of the latest newspaper after he succeed every one of his actions, he would encounter someone who is strong for once.
"There's still 10 minutes until 9 P.M." Manta answered nervously, suddenly feeling nervous , "Say, Dragon, why do you want to see this Phoenix?" he asked as he looked around the room.
"There's no particular reason, I just want to see who is this thief that said to be so skilled at stealing until he had this many admirers." Yoh answered calmly, it's a half lie since he is not sure what's his best friend would think if he knows Yoh's real intention to fight with Phoenix. He played his Leaf earring with one hand and gesturing at the crowd with the other hand to point out what's he mean by admirers, most of the crowds are Phoenix admirers, "And also, as a Prince, I want to catch this thief myself." He whispered the word 'Prince' so that no one will heard him, it may be sounded strange, but he just doesn't like it when he has to appeared in public as a Prince. He dislikes all those eyes observing all his movements, even the insignificant one like visiting his friends.
Manta simply laughed humorlessly at that, sometimes Yoh is just strange for him. Even if Yoh is his best friend, he has always been a bit of mystery for his friends, even his best friend couldn't figure what was it that's going on in his best friend's head.
The last minute until 9 o'clock, Yoh watch the Fortune of Mermaid closely, he won't let the ring to get stolen. As the time turned exactly 9, someone dropped behind the glass box and smashed the box, get the ring and jumped back to the second floor with the help of the curtain which is used as decoration, all that had done in a few second only.
After he snapped out of his shock, Yoh followed him to the second floor, "Stop right there, Phoenix!" he yelled as they get to the balcony, "I won't let you escape with the ring!".
Phoenix chuckled, "And what can you do?" he asked as he rummage his coat's inner pocket, then shot the gun he just picked from his pocket to the building across the Oyamada's Exhibition Building, forming a line of wire from the building to his gun.
Phoenix winked at Yoh before pressed the trigger below the one to shot a bullet, he flew to the other building easily. Gritted his teeth, Yoh get the same type of gun from his coat's pocket and shot to the building across from the building he is currently in and followed after the thief.
Yoh didn't wait for him to get to the other building before he released the wire from the building, causing him to landed before Phoenix and run to the thief direction.
Phoenix saw the Dragon's action and smirked to himself, the Dragon is an interesting fellow to him, there's no one capable of chasing after him with the same level the Dragon is in. He released the wire from the building and as soon as he landed, he ran away from the approaching Dragon.
He never expected to meet someone from his skill level though, so he had no choice but to run and hoped he can losing him on the way, but to no avail, Dragon is still a mere meter behind him. "There's no choice then." He murmured to himself and search for his pocket as he run, he remembered he keep some equipment in his pocket, Bingo, he thought as he got what he want.
Yoh saw through everything, from the way Phoenix run he wanted to make Yoh lose his way, and now from the way his right hand move to his front and stay there as he run, Yoh knows that Phoenix planned for a fight since he can't success in making Yoh lose his way. So, Yoh also get his short sword from the place in his inner coat, he took out the sword and let the scabbard stay inside, he is ready for a fight.
What was Yoh hasn't ready is when Phoenix turned around in a flash and attacked him using a dagger with the same power level with him, not to mention his skill is high. Yoh managed to blocked the attack though, as a Prince he had to undergo an extreme training from his fighting teachers, Anna Kyoyama and Amidamaru, so he has prepared for any sudden attack to protect himself.
"You are one of high skilled people." Phoenix said as he continue to attack Yoh, he can heard the amusement and intrigued in Phoenix's voice, "Say, Dragon, why don't you let me go?".
Yoh smirked to himself, this thief is a strange one, of all the thieves he had confronted, Phoenix is the only one to asked something to him rather than yelled all curse words to him when he cornered them. "Well, I just want to catch you myself." He aswered cheerfully, "You are also a pretty high skilled one, most of the thieves were already knocked out by now." He turned his expression to a serious expression, which is a very rare sight to be seen seeing as he is an easy going person, "I can't let you go, that ring is my friend's family heirloom".
"Oh, but Phoenix will get everything that caught his interest. And unfortunately for your friend and his family family, this ring had caught Phoenix's interest." Phoenix said in third person point of view, he broke Yoh's short sword with great force and winked at Yoh, "Can you tell me your real name, Dragon?" his voice sounded full of interest and amusement.
"I won't, I prefers to work in secret." Yoh said with a sigh, admitting his defeat, he threw his broken sword away, "I will send you to jail, definitely, but for now I have to retreat." Yoh turned around, he take a few steps but then stopped, he looked behind to see Phoenix watch him still with interest. "In your next action, I will be there to catch you, be prepared since I will fight with my all next time." With that, he ran back to his friend's place.
Phoenix stared at Dragon's retreating back, he is an interesting fellow, he chuckled to himself, I wonder who is he actually? With questions and wonders about Dragon still lingering in Phoenix head, he went back to his mansion.
But first, he ran into an empty alley and went in to an abandoned apartment building, he had placed his change clothes in the building before he went to work as Phoenix.
Finished his change, Phoenix is now wearing a simple black long sleeves shirt, a pair of blue jeans, a pair of black sneakers, a pair of star earrings and a blue hat. He put the ring in his jeans and folded Phoenix's uniform inside a bag for traveling so he won't attracted attention, after that he walked towards his mansion's direction.
"I'm back." He called out as he opened the front door and closed it behind him, he dropped his bag with a thud and removed his shoes.
"Welcome back, Hao-sama." A person wearing a butler uniform said calmly as he lifted Phoenix's bag, "Is it a success?" he asked his master.
"Yeah, there's a bit of problem though, I never expected that I will came face to face with Dragon The Tracker." Phoenix, whose real name is Hao Douji, answered his butler question.
"What?!" There's a unison of yells of shock from the living room where all the occupants gathered to welcomed the master.
"Is that true, Hao-sama?" His butler asked in shock.
Hao nodded his head nonchalantly, "Yes, that's why I'm a bit late, this Dragon is at the same level as mine." he said calmly and flopped down on a sofa beside the fireplace, "He is an interesting fellow though, so Luchist." he looked at his butler, "Search all information about Dragon The Tracker, as fast as you can".
Luchist sweat dropped but nodded anyway, "Understood." He answered and walked away to work immediately.
"Hao-sama, Hao-sama." A little African girl with big eyes called in excitement, she is wearing a cream colored dress with a big black ribbon on her back, "Can Opacho see the ring?" she hoped to the space beside Hao with ease.
Hao smiled softly at her, "Sure Opacho." He answered with equally soft tone as he fishing on his jeans pocket, "But why are you still calling me with –sama? You are my adopted sister, so call me with Nii-san is okay, Opacho." He handed the little girl the ring he just stole.
Opacho giggle happily as she looked at the ring, "Okay, Opacho will call Hao with Nii-san, Hao-niisan." She chirped joyously.
"Woah, is that the infamous Fortune of Mermaid, Hao-sama?" An orange haired girl asked him as she take a look from behind Opacho.
Hao simply nodded and walked to his room, but not before ordered, "Keep the ring in a small ring box inside my desk's drawer later".
"I'm really sorry!" Yoh clasped his hands together and bowed deeply to the father and son of Oyamada family, "Not enough I failed to catch him, but he managed to fleed with the ring, I'm sorry".
Mansumi sighed and Manta shook his head, "No, it's alright." Mansumi said in defeat, "We all know that it's not easy to catch Phoenix, even to make him fail is very difficult".
"That's right, Dragon, we understand if you failed." Manta said reassuringly with a smile, "We won't blame you, it's not even your fault to begin with, so there's no need for you to apologize to us".
Yoh sighed in defeat and nodded, "Okay, then if you excuse me, I need to be back to my place." He waved at them and walked slowly to the palace's direction.
The next morning, Hao was reading at the dining table while waiting for his breakfast when Luchist placed an envelope on the table before him, "It's the data of Dragon The Tracker, it seems like his identity is not fully a secret, all the noble families knows about Dragon's true identity." He reported.
Hao raised an eyebrow at that, he put down the newspaper and take the envelope, he rip the envelope and takes out the letter inside. The letter has only a few lines :
Dragon The Tracker's True Identity
Asakura Yoh
The Prince of Forestria
15 years old
"Only this?" Hao asked in surprise, he know very well about Luchist's ability to find just about every information around the Kingdom of Forestria, there's no way anyone can hide their information from Luchist.
"Yes, Hao-sama." Luchist answered calmly, "It's very hard to get information about Royal Family, so I and my friends can only get his name, official job and age." Even if his voice calm, Hao can detected a hint of frustration in his voice.
Hao smirked, "Well, more harder to get the more I want it." He said calmly, "Luchist, I have an order for you".
"YOH, WAKE UP!" An anger filled scream can be heard through the entire palace, causing the said teen to jumped from his bed and fell to the floor.
Yoh moaned when he get up while scratching the back of his head, "What a way to wake me up." He mumbled to himself and started to dressed himself. After he finished with dressed himself and washed his face, he stepped out from his bedroom and walked to the dining room.
Right after he entered the dining room, he was welcomed by the angry Anna, his female fighting teacher. She is wearing a simple black sleeveless dress like usual and a red scarf on her neck, "What time do you think it is?" she asked angrily as she pointed at the clock that stand on the wall which shows that it's 7 in the morning already, "You late for your morning training, don't tell me you forget?" she narrowed her eyes.
Yoh laughed sheepishly, "Sorry, Anna." He said with a sheepish grin, "I was stayed up late last night, and couldn't sleep too".
Anna sighed and nodded in defeat, "That's mean you went out again last night, who was the opponent?" she asked casually
Yoh walked to his usual spot on the dining table, "Phoenix the Phantom Thief." He said shortly and started to eat.
"Phoenix?" Horo Horo, a blue haired boy as one of his official guards, asked in surprise, "No way, who was the winner?" he earned a slap smack on the back on his head from his fellow guard, "What was that for, Ren?!" he yelled to the single spike haired Chinese boy, earning another smack from the boy.
"Phoenix has not put in jail yet, that's means that Dragon was lost last night." He said in annoyance, "The smacks are for your rude behavior to the Prince and for your loud yell, we are only guards, remember it." He narrowed his eyes and his voice cold.
"Well, it's alright, Ren." Yoh said with a carefree grin, "As long as we are not in public, you can call me by name, like Anna. We are friends after all, so it's okay with me, as long as we are not in public".
"As long as we are not in public." Ren repeated slowly, then he sighed tiredly, "I know you are carefree, Yoh-sama, but you are a Prince, please be more serious with your job".
"That's right, Yoh." Anna agreed, "It's not that matter with me since I'm basically your adopted sister, but they are only guards, they will get in trouble if they don't call you with honorific." She explained sternly, "Even if you are alone with them, they still need to call you with honorific, I don't care if they treat you like a friend though".
Yoh sighed, he knows that he would never be able to win against Anna in verbal fight, "Alright." He said in defeat, then there's a knock on the door. Yoh turned to see that Amidamaru, his male fighting teacher with his white hair tied in low pony tail, walked to him with an envelove in his hand.
"Prince Yoh, there's a letter for you from the Douji of noble family." He said politely as he handed the letter to Yoh.
Raising an eyebrow, Yoh opened the envelope and read the letter.
Your Highness AsakuraYoh
The Prince of Forestria,
I'm the heir of Douji family, Hao Douji. I humbly want to tell you that I'm going to pay a visit to your palace this evening, I hope you don't mind my impolite way of writing because I'm not that good with language. The plan is for me to visit the palace at 6 P.M. in order for the Douji family not lose their connection with the Royal Family.
The Heir of Douji Family,
Hao Douji
Yoh blinked, what a sudden visit, and a strange one. People normally visited the palace to meet with the King and Queen, not with the Prince, and if this Hao Douji want to make sure the line between the two family is not severed, he need to meet with the King, not the Prince. Yoh looked up to Amidamaru, "The Heir of Douji family will come to the palace at 6 P.M. make sure the guards know about this, and tell Ryu to make Japanese foods for dinner and the dinner wil be at the back garden, also tell him to prepare Green tea for tonight." He ordered calmly, then he looked at Anna, "Anna, cancel all my training schedule for today, get Eliza to prepare a set suitable clothes for the visit instead. Also, tell Pirika and Tamao to prepare some cookies for the guest." He then looked at Ren and Horo Horo, "The two of you will be in charge of the guest safety, in case we get attacked or anything, you have to protect the guest".
"Yes, Prince." They all said together and leave immediately, it's rare for Yoh to give an order, he prefer to asked than to ordered people. So, in a rare occasion when he gave order, everyone would get to work immediately.
I wonder, what's the hidden motive this Hao Douji want to meet me?
To be continued . . .
Froim : This one will be short, only 4 chapter!
Hao : You sure?
Yoh : For real?
Froim : Of course!
Anna : Please review.
Hao & Yoh : Anna speak politely?!