Title: What you don't know

Disclaimer: I don't own Shaman King

Summary: Manta has always believed Yoh was a sweet, innocent, and simple-minded victim under Anna's cruel and vicious wrath. Hao knows otherwise. Amidamaru doesn't want to comment…so meh, read the story

Story:

"You think we should have left him like that?" Manta asked uneasily, looking around the dark street as though expecting something to jump out of the shadows.

Now to a normal person, Manta would be insane. Walking in the middle of the night in a deserted dark alley alone is not a wise thing to do, especially for someone his size. If anyone was present, Manta would have been placed in a straight jacket and sent to the mental asylum before he could say supercalafrajilisticexpielidocious. But Manta couldn't say that. Because it was dark, and deserted. And saying that would only make him seem more mental. Besides that, the alleys were crawling with bloodthirsty, money lusting leeches that could corner Manta before he could say "supercalafrajilisticexpielidocious!" But Manta won't say that. Because he knows his shortness would encourage them. And he won't stand a chance. Then why is it exactly that Manta insists on traveling alone at midnight in a dark alley despite his short-

"They get it already! Geez!" Manta yelled glaring at no one in particular.

…Anyway so Manta was walking along…

Manta rolled his eyes and turns his face to his left, "Ne Amidamaru, shouldn't we have stayed to help Yoh? Anna had been particularly harsh on him today."

Amidamaru clears his throat, "Yes...well…Yoh-dono and Anna-dono didn't wanted your parents to worry. Else they would forbid you to meet Yoh-dono again."

Manta sighed in frustration, sometimes his parents found the most ridiculous excuses to try and keep him away from Yoh.

That sounded so Yaoi…

"Shutup!" Manta glared furiously.

"I didn't say anything Manta-dono." Said Amidamaru, looking at Manta with round confused eyes.

"I…I meant…never mind…"

They walked in silence, dodging the particular spots they might get cornered by gang members.

When all of a sudden, Manta spoke up, "Why is Anna being so strict anyway? Yoh won the shaman tournament already."

If Manta wasn't looking ahead and had at that moment directed his gaze at Amidamaru, he would have seen a really fascinating sight. Amidamaru's expression had changed. He looked like a father trying to tell his children where babies come from. But fortunately for Amidamaru, he didn't have to answer.

"I can answer that shorty." Said a sly soft voice out of the darkness, stopping Manta and Amidamaru dead in their tracks.

'That voice…' Manta thought, his heart skipping several beats as a 14-year-old boy emerged from the shadows. He had long auburn hair that fell past his shoulders in the form of silk threads. His eyes twinkled with mischief and amusement, like amber placed before flickering flames. His well toned chest illuminated in the dull dark streats in an unholy light as his firm tempting lips curled across his face, smiling the dazzling and heart melting smile everyone of his followers and fans dream about. Manta felt his heart stop as he stared at the ethereal figure walking towards him, his silk locks blowing with the wind as a slight drool gathered at the corner of Manta's slightly agape mouth.

"I AM NOT DROOLING OVER HAO!" Manta yelled to no one in particular, stopping Hao (for once in his life truly startled) on his track and catching Amidamaru (who had put up his dighting stance) for the first time off guard.

Manta felt his cheek starting to burn hot as Hao and Amidamaru stared at him. Wiping away the little drool he really had gathered from-

"Being. Too. Shocked!" Manta growled at the silent night. Glaring at the sky. Amidamaru started worrying for his little friend as Hao smirked, "Anna finally got to you Manta?"

Manta seethed, still blushing furiously before snapping his face towards Hao, "What do you want Hao?" Manta barked.

Hao chuckled, "such temper Manta…and to think you were just drooling over me."

Manta's face darkened again in embarrassment as he stared adown at his feet, willing himself to remain silent.

"Hao-"

"Oh don't worry Amidamaru, I'm not here to cause harm..." Hao said waving his hand dismally.

"Then what are you doing here?" Manta snapped

Hao grinned at Manta, clearly enjoying his discomfort, "Were you expecting me elsewhere?"

Manta growled but decided to say nothing. Nothing good ever comes out when he speaks.

"You want to know why Anna is always so strict to Yoh?" Hao asked, his eyes coated with a strange gleam that chilled Manta to his bones.

"Anna-dono is always strict to Yoh-dono, she needs to be so he could train-"

"Ofcourse, but you know more into it…don't you Amidamaru?" asked Hao charmingly.

Amidamaru opened his mouth to say something, but then shut it, unable to gather words.

Hao's smile widened, "ah…so there is something you're not telling Manta."

"Manta-dono, we must get you home, your parents will be worried." Amidamaru said, trying to change the subject.

"Amidamaru wont hide anything from me!" Manta exclaimed, glaring at Hao. Amidamaru gave a guilty start as Hao chuckled.

"Ofcourse he wouldn't, but then again..."

"Then again what?"

"Manta-dono, it really is getting late"

"Why don't you come with me and see for yourself?" said Hao, smiling at Manta and ignoring Amidamaru's stricken face completely.

"See what?" Manta demanded, frowning, "And how do I know it isn't a trap?"

"Manta, Manta...why would I do that?"

There was silence as Manta went over a hundred possibilities. Hao grinned reading his mind.

"Ok, so there are a hundred reasons. But look at the situation. I don't have my spirit of fire, and you have both Masuke and Amidamaru."

"...True..."

"I don't think this is a good idea Manta-dono." Amidamaru said uneasily, "He could have his people waiting to attack."

"No...I more or less lost them when I lost Spirit of Fire." said Hao with a distressed sigh, "Now when I come back to power I would have to initiate severe punishment on them."

"IF you come back to power." Manta growled

Hao smiled, "Whatever you say. So want to come?"

"Why are you doing this?" Manta demanded, suspicious.

Hao shrugged, "For laughs." And before Manta could say anything else, Hao snapped his fingers, initiating a blinding lightening effect beneath their feet, crackling loudly as the three disappeared into thin air.

Manta felt like he was being hurtled off a cliff. His mouth was wide, ready to scream, but his voice seemed to have disappeared. Beside him Hao was lying on his back, arms tucked securely under his head. On the other side, Amidamaru sat crossed leg, glaring at Hao. Before Manta could try and utter anything, he felt his chubby cheek hitting the ground with a loud thud.

NG: So? How was it? Please leave a review