Title: New Blood

Author: Davael

Rating: PG for this chapter. Might go up from that.

Pairing: Hints of Manta/Yoh, eventually, (Of course!) and some other pairings. Slash for sure.

Author's Note: Err…I'm planning more chapters on this, don't know how many. Basically this is an AU story about Manta and his son. Manta was sent to America when he was fifteen. In this story Manta is about 33 years old, and has a son named Makoto (OC!), who is fifteen. Makoto goes back to Japan with his father, and meets new friends. Manta meets some old friends. Makoto finds out more about his fathers past and shamans. This plot just got stuck in my brain, sorry.

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Shaman King characters.


1.Chapter: First Impressions

Makoto sighed, staring accusingly at his reflection from the mirror. He looked like an idiot.

White shirt. Black tie, black trousers, and new, very shiny pair of shoes. Black school jacket, lying forgotten on the bed— It was too hot outside to wear it.

A normal outfit for a Japanese student.

"Why do I have to wear a tie?"

He was Japanese, of course, even if he had lived abroad all his life. Makoto Oyamada. Or, like he should say it from now on, Oyamada Makoto.

God, he hated his new school uniform.

It had been his dad's idea, of course, to send him to Japan. Mansumi ("Grandfather," his subconscious corrected absently.) had sent his dad to America when he had been fifteen, and now his dad was sending him, Makoto, to Japan. Oh the irony, not to mention that Makoto had just turned fifteen last month.

He had protested long and hard, of course, but his dad, Manta, had an amazing talent when it came to convincing people to do something they really don't want to do. That's how Manta called it, anyway. Makoto called it manipulating.

Not long after that, Makoto had found himself on plane to Japan.

He sighed, yanking his tie one more time, before grabbing his schoolbag, and heading to downstairs. A first day at new school, and he was so not looking forward to it. At the kitchen his father was drinking coffee, and reading a Japanese newspaper. He looked up when Makoto arrived, smiling slightly at the sight of his son wearing an exactly same kind of uniform as he once had. Makoto scowled at him.

"You know, you just keep getting shorter dad. Must be the coffee."

Manta laughed, not being bothered at all. He knew his son was just letting out some frustration. Calling him shorty had been their own inside joke, when it came clear, that Makoto was going to be taller than he ever had been. He was already few inches taller than Manta, and he was only fifteen and still growing. Not that 5.1 feet was very great accomplishment, as he was still probably shortest in his class, but still... Manta grimaced, remembering the nicknames he had earned from the school bullies due to his shortness. Then he reminded himself that Makoto was different. There was a fat chance he was going to be bullied for any reason. Makoto knew how to defend himself, even against Mansumi.

"Have a nice day at school, Mato," he said to his son, who grunted and grabbed his lunch and an apple.

"Make a lot of new friends, okay?" Manta yelled after him, knowing too well how Makoto liked to isolate himself from others of his age. The only answer he got was a faint shout, sounding like "over my dead body!" although Manta wasn't sure.

He sighed and picked up his coffee again.


Makoto stood in front of his new school, where the driver had brought him. Shinra Private Academy. Damn, it was huge.

Students were swarming all around him, some glancing at the short brunette boy. He sighed, guessing that it was no use to fight a lost battle, and started to move towards main entrance.

He found his class pretty quickly, but not quick enough. The teacher and students were already inside, students giving him curious look when he crept inside.

"Ah, Oyamada Makoto, eh? Our new student?" Makoto nodded.

"All right. Class, we have a new student. His name is Oyamada Makoto. He has transferred here from America, am I right Oyamada?" Makoto nodded again, and tried not to frown. Don't call me by my last name, jerk.

"Now, class," the teacher continued, "I want you all help him to adjust, all right." All students were whispering with each other.

"You can take that seat over there," the teacher gestured towards desks near the window. Makoto saw an empty one behind a sleeping blond boy, and escaped there quickly. The teacher started to write something on the blackboard, obvious to the fact that his students were ignoring him and gossiping. Makoto snorted. It seemed like school was same wherever you went.

He was just debating whether to actually listen, or dig up a book he had brought with him, when he felt a light pat on his shoulder. He turned around, coming face to face with a green-haired girl, who was grinning broadly.

"From America, huh?" She whispered in English very quietly. "I'm a transfer too. From Britain. You looked like you were going to kill Mr. Boring back there."

"Not very far from the truth," Makoto muttered back. The girl winked at him.

"Name's Chloris Diethel, but I prefer Lori, from obvious reasons."

"Yes, I can see that," Makoto mumbled before he could stop himself. Damnit! Why did he always have to say the first thing that came in to his mind? No wonder he didn´t have much friends! But Chloris just chuckled.

"Tell me about it. My dad had some pretty weird ideas."

"I'm Makoto Oyamada, like you heard," Makoto said trying to sound apologising, but failing miserably, like always when he had to say he was sorry.

"Japanese name. What were you doing in America?"

"Living there, for starters. I've only visited Japan couple of times. I mean before I moved here last week."

"O-kay," Lori said, and looked like she was going to continue, when a shrill voice interrupted them.

"Oyamada, Diit-hel, what are you talking about?! Not about this class's subject, that's for sure! Now Oyamada, turn around, and concentrate on listening!"

Grumbling, Makoto turned to face the blackboard. Boy in front of him had woken, blinking owlishly at him. Makoto noticed that his hair was unusual blonde next to all of his dark-haired classmates.

"Muhhuh?"

"Just go back to sleep," Makoto told him. Boy gave him a lop-sided smile before doing as he was told. Makoto dared to turn around one last time. Lori grinned back at him, and rolled her eyes.

It seemed like he had made a friend after all. Huh. Who would have known?


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