You'll never imagine the shocking turn of events in Hao's life especially when you landed, wounded, on the backyard of a family of humans.
Yoh Asakura is crying, whether his comrades and family like it or not. He simply cannot do it. What his family wants him to do is pure torture to the Asakura child. The brown-headed boy couldn't possibly have the urge to end his twin brother's life. Yoh is not the boy–or rather, shaman in this case– who can easily kill so he decide to calculate the blow. To not end a life.
"I'm sorry." The younger whispered to the elder. Yoh saw a flicker of a sad smile forming on Hao's face like it was a reassurance, that the man would forgive him but Yoh knew it was all playing in his head.
Hao Asakura knew the duty of the younger. He's the only one who could stop Hao's actions. It's Yoh's duty to kill him but the pyre know that his lesser half cannot even hurt a fly but he landed the blow at him anyway. Hao could have feel something. A change, maybe. But none occurred and he swore from this moment on, he will take revenge on his younger brother.
Hao hated to be defeated, to be looked at as weak so it's implanted in his mind that he will regain his infamous name and honour by taking revenge on his pathetic of an excuse, brother. Yoh, I'll be back, was his last thought as darkness consumed his consciousness.
Red wavy hair cascaded as the girl hum while hanging the newly washed clothes. The sun is shining and the climate is perfect, perfect for drying up the clothes. She is enjoying the breeze and the eager chirps of the birds. It was a perfect day indeed. Not.
The redhead squinted her eyes as she saw a black flying figure. It was huge compared to a normal bird, but not that huge like a plane. Slowly but surely, it's descending and the flying thing is going to land on their backyard!
Whoosh!
Dust went to her mouth and she coughed violently. The redhead isn't very fond of dust because she's asthmatic. As she regained composure, the girl hesitantly approached the fallen figure. She crouched down, removing the burnt cloth away from the creature's face. A gasp fell from her mouth. It was a boy! No more than her age. The redhead could see blood all over the disturbed dirt and the boy is moaning.
But what's odd enough, the boy's face is very familiar. With its intimidating features and long dark-brown hair. He's injured and the best thing she could do is, "MOTHER! Come quickly!" It was clearly evident on her face, the panic and the worry.
There were lots of cheering but Yoh could not avert his gaze from the battlefield. Where is Hao's body or remains? Was his constant thought. The boy could only hope that his brother is still alive or even, taking a breath. No matter how much he didn't want to admit it, he cared for his twin even though he did a lot of evil things.
But amidst the congratulations and the patting on the back, Yoh is worried about his brother's well being even though he knows that Hao is already plotting for his revenge at Yoh. If he's still alive, that is.
Hao let out a strangled moan, sounding like an animal. Everything screamed inside of him. Where is morphine when you need it? Slowly, he opened his eyes and the first thing his brain command is, blink. He blinked furiously, trying to clear his vision.
He came across a white bare ceiling. Hao knew that he wasn't in the Great Spirit. Then where is he? He would ask himself. Remembering the past events, he suddenly jolted up, ignoring the agonizing pain. Obsidian met sapphire. There was a girl, placed on his bedside, looking worriedly at him.
To say that he is relieved is an understatement. Hao was clearly thankful that it isn't Yoh's idiotic green-headed friend or one of the X-Laws staring at him but he wouldn't admit it to himself that. The girl wanly smiled and breathed out a sigh of relief. "You're finally awake." She breathed out.
"What do you mean?" He half-attempted to glare at her. The shaman was tired and he just wanted to rest but this girl is very suspicious. The redhead did not notice his snippy tone or just plain ignored it. "You were unconscious for a week now." But that information would not suffice Hao.
"How the fuck did the I get here?!" He cursed, which is a normal thing to him. The girl flinched, much to his satisfaction but she answered him nonetheless. "You fell from the sky and landed on our backyard. I was very worried, you know."
Hao snorted. He didn't need this girl's pity. What he needed is to get out of here and kill Yoh! But he can't find himself to do so. His arms and legs felt like it's made out of lead and he felt vigorous pounding on his head. The only thing he could do is glare or snarl at this wretched girl.
"And why would you be worried?! You hardly even know me!" He tiredly mocked. "You were unconscious and badly wounded and that's all I get for gratitude?! Not even a simple "thank you"? Look here mister! Don't use that attitude on me or you'll regret it!" She suddenly snapped, making Hao very shocked. Yes, he shouldn't have underestimated her but she's just a girl, a human girl.
"You didn't even answer my question!" Hao retorted and earned a satisfactory embarrassed blush from the girl. "I freakin' know you! You're Hao Asakura, an onmyoji who live for a thousand years. You are the strongest shaman in the world, whether you're evil or not!" She shouted on his face. Hao could have smugly smile but how? How did she know him? Is he that famous for ordinary people to know him?
But his suspicions would not be fend off that easily. She was not a shaman, thanks to no shamanic aura around her. Also, he doesn't seem to feel the presence of a guardian spirit, let alone a ghost servant. A frown contorted his face.
Hao decided to test her first. "And how do you supposed to know me?" The redhead just shrugged as a response, clearly not giving an answer to suffice Hao's suspicions. The pyromaniac would not easily let go of the topic. "SPEAK." He said, full of acidity in his tone. The redhead flinched again and opened her mouth to answer but a nurse entered the room, cutting the girl short.
Hao could have burn the nurse easily but he was very very tired and he needed rest. "Ah! You're awake." The nurse remarked whilst checking his IVs and attached machinery. "Obviously." He muttered as he painfully crossed his arms on his chest. The girl must have heard his retort because she chuckled, much to Hao's bemusement.
"I'll bring food." The nurse informed before exiting the hospital room. Before he could ask the girl again, she already cut him off. "Well, I'll go sleep on this chair. I'm tired because you're keeping me up all week to see if you're actually going to wake up. Good night Hao and if you need anything, press the left button if you need the nurse or holler if me." She lay on a comfortable position and soon, she dozed off.
Why would this girl sacrifice the satisfaction of sleep just to see if I had woken up? Dim-witted. Even though he thought of that, he carelessly caressed the rosy cheek of the girl. The older Asakura has an inner voice that took the voice of his twin. It would taunt him to do good, be kind and feel such useless emotions. And for once, he obeyed it, as to why he's caressing the girl's cheek right now.
Hao came back to his senses and snatched his hand away from the redhead. Such weakness. Soon he was succumbed by deep sleep.
He had woken up earlier than her in the morning. She suddenly woke up when someone knocked on the door. Hao cocked an eyebrow as he expectantly looked at the knocker. The door suddenly swung open, revealing a woman, no more than her forty's, smiling at both of them. The woman was nothing like the girl. She has blonde hair and brown eyes and the teenage girl has red hair and blue eyes.
"Honey, let's go! You'll be late for school." The woman ordered, looking expectantly at the redhead. "Yes mother. I'll be going but let me say good bye to Hao first." The woman agreed and walked out, closing the door behind her.
The shaman heard the girl heaved out a sigh and came towards him. Hao never expected that that's the girl's mother. They are nothing not like each other. From appearance to personality. The redhead's calm and collected while this woman is fierce and bossy. The boy suppressed a shudder. The woman reminded him of Anna.
"I'm going to school Hao. Please behave and don't go strangling nurses or doctors or even ordinary people. Promise me." She commanded like a doting mother. "No." Was the stubborn reply. "Hao." The redhead firmly said. "Fine but tell me your name first." Hao does not have the energy to fight and he badly needed some peace and rest. "Arkhe. The name's Arkhe."
"I'll be back at four in the afternoon and you promised. Good bye Hao!" And before Hao could understand what's happening, she disappeared, leaving Hao a comforting chilly warmth. Hao then pondered for a moment before drifting off to sleep.
What an odd name.
Dear readers,
Hi! A new story, that's what it is. This plot bunny won't get out of my head.
Arkhe or Arche is a Greek word, meaning the beginning, origin, or first cause and power, sovereignty, domination as extended meanings.
Read and review my good fellas! See ya.
Yours truly, Star.