Chapter One: Departure

Author: Rain on your Back

Disclaimer: Hiroyuki Takei owns Shaman King. I just toy with his characters.

Note: Sooo... This is a project I've been working on for some months now... And I still don't really know how it'll actually work - am already sinking into my unfinished works, and I keep creating more, am so stupid sometimes. But, whatever happens, I'd really like to hear your opinion, be it good or bad. Since it's only a prologue, the real settings of the story aren't here yet... Well... I'll stop my rambling here.

Oh, the universe is the manga's, but you'll see that I modificated it a bit^^

"This isn't happening. Not possible. It can't… Not the first time!"

The positive test fell on the floor and broke. She entered into a rage and crushed it under her foot, not caring when it jabbed into her skin. She tripped on the shards and fell to the ground, where she curled into a tiny ball, her hands covering her ears. That wasn't happening. Not. Happening.

Not to her. Not with him.

Why had she been so stupid?

This story begins the night of the new moon, without any light falling from the sky. The island was eerily calm and no one could have guessed that the finale was only days away. Most of the mansions were empty now, as their shamans had fought and died against one of the two finalist groups. The streets sounded hollow and no laughter escaped the last open restaurant.

The finalists had most of their group intact, since the leaders retired each group which had to fight the other, until there was none to fight with. Now it was only he, the Destroyer, and she, the Iron Maiden. Because, in the end, Yoh was beaten by his brother, and the Ren had been forced to abandon against the holy Maiden and her lieutenants. But the finale would never happen. She had made sure of this. She had vowed to herself that if what she feared happened, she would ensure her X-Laws' safety.

Suddenly the bell rung. It was midnight.

Her eyelids fluttered open. Careful not to make a sound, the frail girl listened to the night, trying to sense if anyone was awake on the ship. When the teenager was reassured that she was the sole being not asleep, she shifted her weight on her elbows and removed the white sheets of her bed. Her feet touched the cold floor and she rose, gently brushing her bangs off her face. She was wearing the clothes she usually wore in the Iron Maiden – not for long. Still walking cautiously, she slipped out of her bedroom and into the large corridor. The light was always on in case of an emergency, and that night she was glad, because every noise made her jump, and she couldn't afford getting caught. She just hoped no one would wake up and see her.

Still as quiet as she could, she pushed a door lightly and peeked inside. Her blond lieutenant was peacefully snoring, his glasses lying abandoned on the nightstand and his arms tightly secured around the waist of the woman he loved. The albinos leaned against the doorway. They looked so blissful… She felt a pang of jealousy in her chest, but pushed it away. Tomorrow they would hate her. She shook her head. No need to think about what would happen to them. They would be fine. The young girl sighed softly and left, still silent.

She entered the next room – said woman's – and wasted no time before going to the closet, fumbling through clothes until she found what she was searching for: a pair of short black trousers, laced matching boots and a long and white mantle. Typically the type of clothing she did not have. Without waiting, she put them on, having her long-sleeved shirt to complete the outfit. Then she looked at herself. With these on, she did not look like the Iron Maiden. The hood hid her hair and, engulfed as she was, no one would ever guess who she was.

Ever so calmly, she walked out of the room and prepared to exit the boat when she heard voices. Her heart went wild and she hurried to the safety button, which permitted to extinguish all lights (Marco's idea. Said if the emergency went out of control, it would help them escape). Instantly, darkness fell around her. The Iron Maiden stopped breathing and waited.

The voices came closer. She distinguished Kevin's and Hans'. The two men were obviously drunk and searched for the button. When she could hear their steps, she moved as carefully as she could, passing centimeters away from them, and ran silently in the hallways. The light was back on when she stepped on the deck. They couldn't stop her now. The Iron Maiden left the ship, stepping on the footbridge that linked the ship to the island. When her boots touched the solid ground, they emitted a very light sound. Steeling herself, the girl looked back.

They'd be alright. What she had done guaranteed them safety. He had promised to leave them be. And she believed him– he was maybe evil, but he always kept his word. That wasn't why she was hurt. What hurt was that to protect them, she had to leave them behind and never look back. She had to disappear for them to stay alive. That burnt her insides, making her want to throw up – or better, to run back into Marco's room and tell him the whole story. But she couldn't, she knew. The girl sighed.

Then Jeanne resumed walking away, Shamash floating above her right shoulder, and vapored into the depths of the night.

Elsewhere on the island, someone sighed as well, his fire mirroring the girl disappearing into the shadows. He knew very well that what happened between them was the reason of her departure. He had forced her into this. And he shouldn't be so bothered by it.

But he was.

He'd keep his word.

Jeanne: ... Why meeee? Why do I feel like something awful is going to happen to me?

Rain: Because, in your point of view, something will. But don't worry, you'll be fine in the end. Or not. Not decided on that yet.

Jeanne: Wha-WHAT?

Marco: Did you really have to show what I was doing?

Rain: Of course! That's part of the why she left! Stupid blondie %)

Marco: Stupid what? ... MICHAEL!

Rain: *runs away*