Disclaimer: I do not own Shaman King or any character from Shaman King yadda yadda yadda. You get the picture…
(Reviews are greatly appreciated! Harsh criticism is welcome as well. And um…nobody is Shaman King, because I didn't feel like taking the time to consider all that. I'm sure you understand. Besides, wouldn't it just be one pain in the ass to sort that all out if Yoh was Shaman King? Euck! All the work makes me sick! Damn, I'm lazy! I mean c'mon! If Yoh was Shaman King then he would probably dump Anna's bitch ass and I'm sure he couldn't become a vampire. Well I might as well give you the whole story, eh? Yeah I'm shutting up now. Oh and props to Akima Maxwell ((READ HER FICS! SHE IS MY YAOI GOD!)) for pointing out all my careless mistakes. How dare I call myself a Shaman King fan...)
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Clouds blanketed the deep blue canvas that engulfed the moon and stars. The nightly breeze swept through Yoh's brown strands of hair. His footsteps echoed as he made his way down an alley leading to the cemetery that neighbored Headstone Bridge. As he came closer he reminisced back when he and Manta first met. Yoh chuckled to himself. The frightened look on poor Manta's face then was priceless. The creases in his fingers began to sting from all the heavy bags he was carrying. Anna had him go to the market to fetch some food and supplies. Yoh took a heavy breath and continued on. Before he knew it he was already back. The door creaked quietly as he stepped inside. Placing the groceries down on the table, Anna walked in the room.
"It took you long enough."
Yoh looked up at the girl and smiled. "Well in that case, next time you can go!" He laughed.
"Don't be stupid. Put all those where they belong and Manta will get started on dinner." Anna smirked and sat down to begin watching the television.
Yoh nodded and obeyed her by grabbing the bags and bringing them into the kitchen.
"Hi, Yoh!" said a little figure standing on a stool in front of the sink washing the dishes.
"Hey, Manta, let me guess, Anna has been forcing you into doing her chores the whole time I was gone." replied Yoh.
"I guess you could say that…" Manta smiled at Yoh and they both laughed.
After dinner, Yoh lay in the bathtub and soaked in the steaming water. It seemed to be more relaxing than usual. He wasn't complaining. His eyelids became increasingly heavy lidded as he lay there languorously leaving the shaman in a world of black. Everything was quiet. Random thoughts drifted through his subconscious. Yoh went back to the Shaman Tournament five years ago. That was one hell of a ride, even Ren admitted to that. But the memories that floated through his mind were fond ones. In fact, he hadn't spoken with any of them in nearly four years. He really missed Chocolove's cheesy jokes. Eventually, Yoh reluctantly opened his eyes and forced himself out of the water. He grabbed the towel next to the sink. The miniscule droplets of water ran down his skin as he began to gently dry himself. The towel was tied around his waste and he walked to his room. After drying he pulled the cotton blankets over his naked body and fell asleep almost instantly after closing his eyes.
The next morning came too soon. Yoh had slept well. As soon as he got dressed he went into the living room, greeted and sat next to Amidamaru and Manta and began watching the news with them. The anchorman was babbling on about many recent cases of Anemia and how hospitals were running out of places to keep patients.
"Hmm. That's interesting," said Amidamaru. His eyes were glued to the television.
"Yeah…you're right. It's weird. I wonder what it's all from," replied Manta.
"Especially if the hospitals are running out of room…that's definitely something to worry about," added Yoh.
Just then Anna had entered the room. She was carrying something in her hands. Sitting next to Manta, Anna began sifting through the, what Yoh now realized was, mail. "Bills…bills…bills….oh and what a surprise, more bills…a few coupon books, some other random junk….and a letter for Yoh?" Anna seemed surprised by this. She also seemed reluctant to hand it over, but did so anyways.
Yoh stared at her slightly baffled by her reaction. He had been feeling more courageous around her lately, and to his surprise, he wasn't getting knocked around for it. He felt his chances were running low and he was taking drastic risks, but thinking about it too much would probably jinx him. Yoh took hold of the envelope and gave a harder-than-usual tug to get it out of her grasp. "W-Why are you so hesitant about giving this to me?" He caught her eye and kept his stare.
Anna met his gaze but quickly looked down, but still kept her cool. "Hesitant? Don't be stupid, Yoh." She stood up immediately and walked out of the room as if not wanting to see him open it. Yoh shrugged and pondered why Anna was acting that way. It wasn't that big of deal. It was just an envelope. Who knew what it could be. It could be a letter from grandpa or father for all he knew. After all, there was no return address on it. In fact, the envelope seemed kind of old with an off-white color. There were a lot of creases in it, really worn out one could say. Manta was looking down at it; obviously curious about whom it was from. Amidamaru was still mesmerized by the television. Not wanting to make a big scene like Anna had, Yoh stood up and started to his room.
"Wait, Yoh! Aren't you going to see what it is?" asked the obviously curious short one.
"Meh, I will later," Yoh lied simply. He continued on his way to his bedroom. There, he switched on the light and sat near the window sill. Yoh examined the envelope once more before opening it. The letters were scribbled in an unmistakable scrawl. Flipping it around, Yoh began to peel it open with his thumbnail. Inside there was a thin sheet of translucent paper. He slipped his fingers inside the envelope and pulled the paper out and observed it. Writing was half visible through it. It was a letter. Yoh flipped the letter open to see what was written.
Yoh,
First and foremost I apologize for not writing you sooner. I know you must be wondering why now. Every day that has passed and I failed the attempt to contact you, I regretted. I've realized something. I feel ignorant for not realizing this before. I'm not willing to tell everything through this letter. I don't know if I can carry on much longer like this. So, I have decided I will do whatever it takes. Meet me at Headstone Bridge tonight at midnight. It'd be best if nobody knew.
-Ren
Yoh reread the letter over and over again. He couldn't help but feel slightly excited about getting to see Ren again. But what was so important that Ren needed to tell him? Control his self from what? And why so late? All these questions ran through Yoh's brain simultaneously and began to slightly confuse him. Pushing all that aside, he had something to look forward to regardless of all the subliminal warnings. He folded the paper back up, slipped it in the envelope and hid it in the third drawer of his dresser. He glanced up at the clock. It read twenty after eleven. Another twelve and a half hours to go. He decided to go outside to enjoy the summer weather. There was a slight breeze that made the scorching heat seem rather refreshing. Walking down the pavement, Yoh decided to pick up the pace and begin to jog. Usually when there wasn't anything to do back at the house, Yoh would go outside and jog. It always seemed to get his mind off things and restart the day. Jogging also happened to be excellent at speeding up time. He ran several times around the block and then made his way back home. The inside air was cool and rejuvenating. It was just in time for dinner Manta had prepared.
Dinner tasted great as always and the rest of the night was quiet and distant. As time rolled by, one by one, everyone in the Asakura home fell sound asleep. It was now ten 'til midnight and it only took about five minutes to walk up to Headstone Bridge. Yoh walked out the door on his way to meet Ren nearly ten seconds later. It had been four years since they had last spoken, or made any type of contact for that matter. Tonight would be the first time he would see him. Yoh's stomach tightened. He lingered into the cemetery looking for any type of silhouette matching that of Ren's. He wasn't having too much luck. Yoh came closer to the bridge, looking around as he did. Everything was quiet and blanketed in shadows. The street lights from the city below were the only thing enabling Yoh's eyes to function. He came to a halt and looked down at the city. Only a few cars polluted the roads, and there weren't any pedestrians. The air was brisk but at a very comfortable temperature.
Suddenly, he heard something behind him. Yoh quickly turned to see what it was. Everything behind him was pitch black and took a few seconds for his eyes to adjust. Squinting his eyes to see better, wasn't helping much. He took in a long breath and let it out slowly. Ren wasn't here; this was a big waste of time. Yoh leaned up against a tree and continued watching the cars pass by beneath the cliff.
"You came," said a soft voice protruding from the darkness.
The sound startled Yoh as he rebalanced himself on both feet again. He knew that voice. It was him.
Ren stepped out of the shadows looking directly into Yoh's eyes. Four years had taken effect on the boy. His face and jaw line had matured. The golden irises surrounding his pupils were piercing and with that tiny bit of eyeliner, his eyes became even more prominent. His deep violet hair had grown out just past his ears, and Yoh could feel his jaw drop. His garments were surprisingly casual. Fitted jeans, cuffed around the ankles, with a white button up shirt. Even so, he looked ridiculously gorgeous. Ren smiled weakly at Yoh and came one step closer.
"It's been a long time, hasn't it Yoh?" asked Ren. His voice was much deeper than the last time Yoh heard it.
"Y-yes," replied Yoh. There was an awkward silence.
"Listen, Yoh. I know you must be confused as hell about why I asked to meet you here," said Ren. "Ever since the last time I lost myself in those dark eyes, I've regretted over and over again failing to contact you. And every time I envision your face my stomach leaps and I fall short of breath. I've asked myself over and over again, why is it only with you? Then something terrible happened to me. I feared seeing you, thinking you would think little of me or be disgusted with me-" There was pathetic amusement in the way he spoke.
"I would never think that of you, what makes you think that?" Yoh cut him off. He felt a shot of anger go through him. Ren wasn't acting himself at all.
Ren had a blank look on his face. He walked up to the boy and held his face inches away from Yoh's. Stretching his arms around Yoh and sliding his cheek against the others, Ren engaged Yoh in a tight embrace. He ran his hands down Yoh's spine and back up, feeling his back. Ren pressed his chest against Yoh's making the summer heat seem even hotter. Yoh hesitantly wrapped his around Ren. Closing his eyes, he caught the aroma of his hair. It was a subtle sweet scent that nearly caused Yoh to drool. His skin was so soft. It was like brushing your cheek against a cloud. "Ren…"
Ren pulled away and locked eyes with Yoh keeping his hands on his shoulders. "I know I'm not acting myself, and I apologize. However, if you'd like for me to be a complete dick…" Ren trailed off. Yoh knew he was right.
"No, it's fine. It's just good seeing you, is all." Yoh reassured. Ren smiled and absorbed the moment.
"It's good seeing you, too."
Ren's eyes were astounding Yoh. He had never been as intrigued by one's stare as badly as now. His breaths began to get longer and heavier, and the world around him began to spin. Everything was so perfect, so indescribable. That moment dragged on, but wasn't regretted. Time had stopped, or so it seemed. At that moment, Ren leaned in and kissed the other shaman. The kiss was delicate, innocent, and sweet. Yoh had been startled at first but eased up after realizing that was what he wanted as well. Ren's lips were soft; it was like experiencing his first kiss all over again. Or even better, bungee jumping off the Grand Canyon. Or at least, that was the feeling he had in the pit of his stomach.
When everything seemed so perfect, and Yoh never wanted that moment to end, it was all corrupted by the word "Yoh!" piercing his ears. Ren quickly pulled away and they both looked around to see who was there. It was Amidamaru. His eyes were wide and alarmed.
Ren quickly looked back at Yoh catching his eye and quickly whispered, "Yoh, meet me here same place, same time tomorrow." And before Yoh could say anything, Ren had disappeared.
Yoh glanced back over at Amidamaru trying his hardest to absorb how a moment that perfect was destroyed that fast. "Amidamaru, what are you doing here?"
"Anna is worried sick about you. I told her I'd go out and search for you. But I think I should be asking you the same question."
Yoh couldn't help but feel angry at Amidamaru. "Anna is not my mother, and I am not her baby. I'm not stupid; she doesn't need to keep a leash on me."
Amidamaru was appalled by Yoh's upset reaction, but remained as calm as possible. "Yes, I know, Yoh. Don't be angry, she was just worried because she cares for you that's all."
"I'm sorry. I'm not mad at you…it's just…" Yoh sighed and walked over by Amidamaru. "I don't know…let's go." Yoh did know, and so did Amidamaru. He was sick of being Anna's puppet. She always treated him like a baby or a pet. Yoh could never leave the house, have a snack, or even take a shit without her permission. Quite frankly, it was getting extremely annoying and old. He was nineteen, after all. Besides, so what if he was out of the house? It's not like he couldn't defend himself. The trip home was silent and bothersome.
