Yes, this is a repost of one of my oneshots. Well, it's not a oneshot anymore, as I have completed the second chapter, and thus, the story. So I hope you all enjoy this :)

Title: Then It Hits You (part 1)
Author: lunchy (Jezebel Parks)
Pairing: Tao Ren / Xu Pin-Mei (oc)
Fandom: Shaman King
Theme: #9 Dash
Canon: A Gift of Love, circa chapter 56
Disclaimer: Shaman King is copyright Hiroyuki Takei and Viz media. Pin-Mei and Rong were created by the author, lunchy/Jezebel Parks.

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"Thanks for buying me the plushie, Ren."

"It was the only surefire way to get you out of the store."

"Hehe."

Pin-Mei took the small stuffed cow that Ren had just bought for her and slipped it into her pocket. She smiled and patted it. "There we go." She grabbed his hand and squeezed it tightly. "I love you," she said cheerfully as she leaned on his shoulder.

He didn't look at her. "I know. Just make sure it's not only when I buy you things."

She clutched his arm and looked up at him. "Of course not! I love you all the time!"

He gave her a half smile, still trying to keep his cold demeanor. "I do too." Her smile became even brighter as he looked down at her. Slowly, he leaned in and kissed he gently. She blushed and hugged his arm again.

They were in Japan visiting Rong and HoroHoro. While the point of their trip was to spend time with their friends, they still took time to be alone together. After all, this was where all their first memories as a couple had been created.

"Let's go home," he said, referring to their Japanese lodgings. Pin-Mei was trying to mask a yawn. "You hear me?" She nodded.

As her eyes opened, she looked to her right and then let out a squeal. "Ren, look! A puppy!"

He looked at the white collarless canine walking past them. It was whimpering slightly, as if frustrated by a long and unsuccessful search. Pin-Mei produced a blanket decorated with smiling milk bottles from her shopping bag and used it to pick up the puppy. It whimpered more and she tried to soothe it.

"Hey babykins, where's your mama? Hm? Where is she?"

"It's not going to answer you, you know that, right?"

"I know that, but I read somewhere that they like it when you talk to them in a high voice."

He sighed. "If you really believe that, then fine, but it's time to put the dog down so we can go home."

"But-but-but..."

"You're not keeping it. Now, put it down and let's go."

She sulked. "Okay...Just let me find a safe place to put him – away from the traffic." But as she spoke, a cat ran across the street catching the puppy's attention. It leaped from her arms and dashed after it. Pin-Mei froze for a moment, then let out a small cry and ran into the street after it.

Ren tried to grab her, but she slipped by him. "Pin-Mei!" he yelled. "What are you doing, you fool?!"

"I don't want it to get hit!" she called back. "Here, puppy!" It stopped and wagged its tail as she picked it up. "Don't do that! You scared m-!"

There was a horn. She looked up to see a small truck heading for her. She froze like a deer in headlights.

There was a crash.

Pin-Mei hit the ground

as Chinese blood

spilled onto the streets.