A/N: this is my first fic and actually, I never thought that someday I will be posting a story on some website. The idea just popped into my head and I decided to write it down. Anyway, please read and review. I hope you'll enjoy reading as much as I did when I wrote this.

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

Almost Perfect

By: anime-ted goddess

He stretched his tired legs on the ground and rested his back on a large tree. He had been training so hard today; his regular white training shirt clung to his muscular body, as it was drenched in sweat. His kwan dao lay beside him.

For a moment, he looked around, enjoying the peaceful surroundings. He was far away from Yoh's house, far from the noise and the busy streets. Now, he could only hear the soft rustle of leaves and the sound of flowing water from a river nearby. He liked this place very much. Here, he felt at ease. He felt as if there's no one else in this world except him. Here, his thoughts take hold of him.

Soon enough, his eyes felt tired and heavy, and he drifted off to a deep relaxing sleep.

at Yoh's house

"Pirika! Where are you? I need you to do something!" Anna shouted from the living room.

"Yes? What is it?"

"Oh, there you are. Go get Ren. He's supposed to be back here a long time ago." Anna ordered Pirika then went back to watching television.

Pirika went out mumbling to herself as to why she's supposed to be the one to look for and fetch that Ren Tao. We're all working and she just sits there watching tv!' she thought. I don't even know where to start looking for him!' She just continued walking until she notices a narrow, barely visible path through the woods. She couldn't resist her curiosity so she decided to go and explore.

The path stretched on for more than an hour. Gosh, such a deep forest.' Then she saw a clearing between the trees. It was just slightly bigger that the backyard of Yoh's house. As she got nearer, she heard sounds of a flowing river. She eagerly walked towards the clearing. When she got there, she turned to a stop. She stood there, in perfect silence as she saw an adolescent man sleeping under the shade of a large tree. It was Ren Tao.

His head was bent down causing his hair to fall over his closed eyes. He was so peacefully asleep. She had never seen anyone so relaxed and at peace. And she has never seen Ren like that. Pirika watched him in awe. She stared at those perfect, muscled features. The rise and fall of his hard chest as he breathed. She could see the faint traces of his well-developed abs under his damp shirt. His arms hung loosely on his side in a comfortable position. His body is so at ease, so serene. Pirika's feet were glued to the ground. She just stood there, quietly watching the perfect scene in front of her. The sun's rays illuminated everything, emphasizing its beauty.

Suddenly, Ren woke up, opened his eyes and blinked through the sunlight. For a while, he looked around, trying to figure out where he was. Then he remembered he was tired from training so he rested and fell asleep. At that time, he felt that someone was nearby, watching. He looked up and to his right he saw Pirika. She gave the impression of being in a daze.

"Hey, what are you doing, just standing there?" Ren said in a low, sleepy voice. His eyes were just half open.

Pirika blinked and was sent back to reality at Ren's words. Oh, he's so handsome…he looked so cute when he just woke up…and those strong arms…and…Oh God, I can't believe I'm thinking these things about Ren Tao! Of all people! But still...' And she totally forgot what she came there for.

She finally found her voice and said, "Oh, uhm, I'm sorry. Did I wake you?" her blue orbs looking slightly worried.

"No, uhm..I.. that's okay."

Then there was silence. They just stared at each other for a long time. Pirika felt like she was being sucked into Ren's beautiful golden eyes. She was so sure that there is something beyond those cold and sad eyes of his. Ren felt the same. He knew that behind the happy and always cheerful Pirika, there is something else hidden inside. Both of them just haven't figured out what the other person's secrets are.

All of a sudden, Ren came out of trance. He blushed slightly from the eye contact. Again, he settled down and rested his head against the tree.

Pirika had the sudden urge to come near him, so she did. She stood there, hands on her side, her back leaning against the tree. She closed her eyes, feeling the calming warmth of the sunlight on her face. What a perfect afternoon.' she thought.

Ren lifted his head up and was just about to say something to Pirika but was immediately silenced by the beauty he saw. Her eyes were closed, showing her naturally curled, thick, long lashes. Her still face, clear and pale. Her lips seem so soft and luscious. He took all of this in and before he realized what he was doing, he got up quietly and stood right in front of Pirika. Standing like that, he noticed that he was just a little taller that Pirika, maybe just a couple of inches or more. Then, he tiptoed a little and kissed Pirika on the forehead.

Pirika, who felt Ren's soft lips brush on her temple, abruptly opened her eyes and was met by two golden eyes looking directly at her. His gaze was piercing; it almost physically hurt. It seemed as if he could see into her very soul just by looking at her eyes. She saw something in those eyes. Sadness? Longing? She doesn't know. Feeling uneasy, she straightened up only to find her face less than an inch away from Ren's. She could actually feel his warm breath on her face. She couldn't move, couldn't breathe. She couldn't look away from Ren's gaze.

Then, he glanced at her lips, slanted his head a little and leaned forward to kiss her. Their lips met in a warm and gentle kiss. mmm…they're so soft… so… sweet… and...' It was gone. The moment was over.

The next thing he knew, Pirika had pushed him away and ran off to the woods. Ren just stood there, frozen in that spot, pondering on what just happened. His hands curled into fists and he punched the tree in front of him. He was so stupid, he thought.

Pirika ran off, away from what just happened, away from Ren. She didn't know why, she just felt the need to go away. It the sun was just about to set and it was getting dark fast. All of a sudden, she crashed into something hard. She fell to the ground and became unconscious before she knew what or who it is. The last thing she remembered was a soft, worried voice calling out her name.

A/N: please read and review. Tell me what you think. Good or bad, I'd really appreciate it. Thanks. If I get good reviews, ill probably continue writingD