Disclaimer: I do not own Shaman King, nor Mannoko Oyamada
Notes: I love the Oyamadas, and clearly they don't get enough screentime in the Shaman King manga. Despite that, thinking about the personal anguish and trails each of them much separately face delights me to no end. In the manga Mannoko is five years old and a chattery, trouble-making Momma's girl, but in the years to come I do see her growing out of that. Watching her Father from afar and, in her own ways, adopting his stern and steadfast mannerisms; at times pretending he is there and proud of her for that.
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Weather
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I
Once, in the past, she would hide from him. He would be concealed behind the veil of crisp, ominous thunder and she, being only four, would sink into flocculent blanket and sob for Mother. Papa would chuckle in his shame. And they did not know one another.
II
He would be there again, in her room, precise and framed with weather that resented her. Now she would not call for anyone, but hold firm until morning.
Mother was losing her.
III
Now Mannoko wakes, irritated and uncomfortable, with hot layers of cloth pulling, twisted around her stomach. From the window he watches her unravel from the mess, amused, and she does not hesitate to throw her legs over to one side of the bed and stand.
He smiles, approving.
She leans over the lip of the window and drinks in his influence as a wind licks at her cheek. Translucent curtains whip and flair up, surrounding them, and then, satisfied, she closes the window and goes to sleep.
Mother does not know her anymore.