DarkTaoAngel: I don't own Shaman King (though I wish I did). I own only this story, and any extra characters mentioned in it.

I Still Love You

Summery: Pirika loves Ren. But when something happens to Horo that Ren could have prevented, Pirika starts to hate him.

Can Ren make up to Pirika, or will their relationship be over before it even starts?

The Beginning

Ren and Pirika weren't speaking to each other. Ever since she found out that her brother had died, she seemed to hate Ren for having been around when it happened. How could she possibly blame him for something that he didn't have any control over? Something he couldn't prevent? No, Ren knew that it wasn't entirely his fault, but he still couldn't shake this feeling of guilt. And to make it even worse, whenever he tried to apologize to Pirika, she either ignored him, or started to yell at him again. She refused to talk to him anymore. When their friends go suspicious, she made an array of excuses to ease their worry, and to get them to change the subject. Ren couldn't understand exactly why Pirika hated him, but he wanted to get her back.

Flashback

It was not long after Hao has announced his arrival into the Shaman Tournament. Spirit Hunters were searching for everyone who defied Hao. They hadn't lost one battle yet, and they intended to keep it up. Their first stop, Yoh's house.

Morty, Rio, Tamura, Horo, Pirika, Jun, and Ren were all staying at Yoh and Anna's house for the weekend. Yoh was asleep, while Anna was yelling at him; Morty was doing research on his laptop; Rio was talking to Tamura in the living room; Jun was baking; Ren was training outside, with Pirika watching him from afar; while Horo was nowhere to be seen.

It seemed that Pirika didn't care where her brother was, because she wasn't paying attention too much other than Ren. She knew she liked him, but she just didn't know how to tell him. For now she enjoyed watching him without his knowledge.

She watched everything he did lately. She didn't know why she loved him, she just did. She loved everything about him; from the way his muscles bulged when he lifted his weights, to the way sweat dripped down his muscular back.

She knew he would never notice her, though. How could someone like Ren possibly like someone like Pirika? But that didn't stop her from watching his every move. She continued to watch.

As Ren made a sudden motion to leave, Pirika accidentally gave a small shriek. Ren looked over to see her standing there. She tried to hide herself, but Ren had already seen her. He walked towards her, but she tried to hide herself.

It wasn't until now that he realized just how beautiful she was. How her light blue hair seemed to flow with the everlasting wind. Her blue orb-like eyes stared innocently at him, as though she was on the verge of tears every moment. She seemed perfect in every way to him now.

Ren asked Pirika why she was there. She tried to make an excuse to him, but Ren didn't believe her, so he asked her again. Pirika had been watching him for sometime now, and she decided that it might be a good time to tell him how she feels rather than hide her feelings anymore.

Pirika: Um…I was watching you train…because I…kinda…like you….

Ren: Like me?

Pirika: Yeah….

Pirika could feel her heart beating relatively faster now. She was scared of what he would say, or how he would feel about her.

Ren: Well…Maybe I like you, too.

Ren said this with his usual air of arrogance, as if it was blatantly obvious. Without realizing what he was doing, Ren leaned over to Pirika and kissed her gently. She didn't resist him; she just leaned forward, put her arms around him, and kissed him back. After what seemed like only seconds they broke apart. Pirika started blushing and Ren looked away, but inside they were both happier than they had ever been. Ren turned to leave, but looked back at Pirika and gave her one of the first smiles he had ever given. Then he walked away into the house, leaving Pirika all alone in the middle of the yard, smiling happily to herself.

DarkTaoAngel: That was okay, wasn't it? It is my first fanfic, so it still needs so improvement. Please submit a review!