Disclaimer: Not my characters, someone else's, bug off.
Faust VIII opened his eyes and blinked wearily. He sat up slowly and rubbed the sleep from his eyes. Slamming the alarm clock next to his bed he lurched forward, hunched over, unwilling to stand up straight. He shuffled forward into the bathroom and turned on the shower. Waiting for it to warm, he brushed his teeth. To do so he stood a little straighter. His eyes still half shut, he put the brush down and turned and walked into the shower. He was almost immediately rejuvenated and stood straight. The warm water and steam felt good on his body. He inhaled deeply. After he was done he descended the stairs of the "En Inn" (Flame inn) owned by Yoh Asakura and Anna K. Here he lived with many of the Shaman from the tournament, including Ren, Horo-Horo, Wooden Sword Ryu, and all their guardian ghost. The only normal person living with them was Manta, a normal human who could see ghost. He smiled as he descended the steps. He must have woken late. He had missed round one.
"You Jack ass!" Ren shouted.
"Me! You're the one who is always bein' mean!" Horo-Horo retorted "You never let me choose anything! I always have to fight you for whatever I want!"
Faust ignored the fight. It was a daily ritual for Ren and Horo to bitch at each other. SO much so that there was a chalk board hidden in the front room recording who won and lost each fight and who had bet on that person and won the money. Fast had 10 down for Ren today, and Manta was on for Horo. So far it's anybody's money. He thought, bushing his blonde hair out of his face. Yoh and Manta were watching TV in another room. Anna was in her isolation chamber, and Ryu had a date with the Dead Enders today and probably wouldn't be seen that night. Faust wasn't in a mood for chatting. He moved to the back porch next to the hot springs. He went to the cooler and grabbed orange juice. He sat next to the springs, rolling up his pant legs he stuck his feet in and looked to the sun in the vibrant blue sky. He hadn't been so happy in forever. So many terrible things had happened, This was his reprieve. This is where he was happy about everything. Everyone here was so kind. He was thankful to have the friends he did.
The dull clacking of beads crept up behind Faust. Turning, he saw Anna. She had on her usual expressionless/scowl look, and walked right next to Faust. She crossed her arms and looked dead ahead. Not turning to look at him. "You know, at first I thought you were a horrible person. But I now understand I was wrong. I'd like to apologize for what I said and did before." She said and turned. "Tell anyone and I will make you my next patient, if you get my drift, and if you don't, I mean I will kill you." She walked away back into the house. He smiled. He knew this was a privilege, to be apologized to by Anna the soulless. He snickered at the thought. He took a swig of the orange juice and stood up. He opened the door to find the house deserted. No one was around. But, he thought, everyone was just here? Where did they go? He moved forward, looking around. He turned down a hallway and suddenly a large red claw raced toward him. He flattened himself against a wall. The Claw reached around and withdrew. Faust turned and hurried to his room. Grabbing his red Cross-razor he also, drew fourth Eliza's skeleton and re-animated it. She grabbed the razor and stood ready. He Climbed out the window and faced what he did not expect. "Happy Birthday!" everyone yelled. Hao's spirit of fire Held a large banner bearing the words 'Happy Birthday Faust' in purple lettering. Everyone stood below Smiling and waving. There where gifts stacked on a table. He gazed down "Happy birthday!" Yoh cried from the front of the crowd. Come on down! Everyone sent gifts!"
"Don't expect anything from me," Anna commented "you already got you gift from me."
And suddenly everything made sense to Faust VIII.
