Disclaimer: Don't own anything.

Summary: Semi-AU. He was happily getting married and everything had worked out- until that bastard Hao Asakura walked back into his life. HaoYoh. Twincest. OOC. Rewritten/Reposted.


BEST I EVER HAD

Chapter One

Patch Village | Day 143 of Shaman Fight Tournament

Hao Asakura finally resolves that he made a terrible mistake. In his pursuit of cleansing the world, making miscalulations is almost inevitable - and he has long recognized that fact. As such, all his decisions are carefully deliberated - taking in all possible drawbacks and pitfalls, anticipating plausible backdoors and interventions, and perfoming the most rewarding yet safest actions in the execution of his noble cause. However, the thousand year old onmyoji should not be mistaken as a safe-player, for if he were, two reincarnations should be unnecessary.

For despite all the calculations and evaluation, Hao Asakura admits that his knowledge does not comprehend everything under the sun. He also does not deny the existence of personal biases, the uncommon but heavy reliance of decisions on instincts, or the occasional height of emotions - temper or whatnot - that curtly eludes his critical thinking. But these are very rare, if not close to none, episodes of his filthy humanity mingling with his thousand years of experience causing a lapse of judgment on his part. After all, any threads of humanity on his being have long been banished and forgotten - should be eradicated.

However, the fire shaman acknowledges that today is one of those exceptional circumstances where his assessments are wrong - where he suffers the consequences of his carelessness.

"Do you love me?"

For if Hao Asakura had not made a disastrous mistake, such ridiculous yet invasive query would have not been asked by this pathetic being identifying himself as a shaman. And more than that, he would not have felt his chest slightly tightening and a lump on his throat slowly building at the sight of tears threatening to fall from the other's young chiseled face.

Pressing the bridge of his nose, he realized that he has drifted off from the topic at hand. He takes a step forward and notes with amusement that the other had not made a step backward just like how he usually did before. However, after being asked such thing, Hao knew no level of fear from the other should have been expected.

Stopping just a few steps away from the other, Hao answered, "No. I do not love you, Yoh".

But two hearts knew how to differentiate a cowardly lie from a shameful truth.


Patch Village | Day 60 of Shaman Fight Tournament

The wind blows are callous matching the foul mood lurking in the area. Everyone's thoughts continuously intrude his mind just as violent as him burning the little nuances that identified themselves as members of the X-Laws. Echoing the same thing, - a monster, incredible power, merciless... terrifying - these thoughts are starting to cause the fire shaman a headache. He supposed it is partly his fault, as he let his temper get the best of him. And maybe feeding the pitiful souls of the late X-Laws' members in front of everybody is a little too much. However, for the undeserving justice-driven group to force him to use his onmyoji abilities this early is an act he deemed as crossing the line and certainly deserving of a reward.

After all, transforming the Spirit of Fire to water means that playtime is over.

"Hoshi-gumi wins with ease!" Announced the shaken Patch official, but the absence of cheers from the crowd makes the atmosphere more condescending. Hao takes no notice as he turns his back to them making a show of walking away from the chaos he caused.

"Let's go Luchist, Opacho."

"Yes, Hao-sama."

Leaving the crowd with their jumbled thoughts, Hao and the rest of Hoshi-gumi exits the deconstructed stage. He is just several steps away from the exit when a particular thought caught his interest.

How can that monster be my brother?

Smirking, the older Asakura is now completely out of the arena. For all the annoyances this excuse of a fight brought, Hao is pleased that it caused his other half to be disturbed. Maybe showing a small fraction of his power as early as today is not that awful if that means Yoh Asakura will take the Shaman Fight more seriously starting from now.


The moon has shown itself hours ago but it still beautifully illuminates the dark ephemeral sky. The serenity of the view is more accentuated by the brightly lit stars littering the vast. Despite its magnificence, Hao Asakura's face is painted with disappointment and annoyance. Giving a sigh, the said shaman finally admits that this day can actually be worse. The fight with the X-Laws already irritated him and now he is forced to tolerate this.

Focusing his attention once again, he sees that the itako's eyes are wide as if they cannot comprehend what is happening. The fire shaman cannot blame her though, for the girl shows promising potential - at the tender age of five, she has managed to create an oni born from her cursed reishi. Not only that, she has trained under a well-renowned master and has sustained a growing level of furyoku. Bride of the Asakura heir, everyone - including him - expected so much more from her. As such, he wonders too how she can pathetically fail in uncovering his techniques - Cho-Senjiryakketsu .

The golden-haired beauty is panicking, he can tell despite the icy face. Kino Asakura darts forward attempting to conceal the demon guards - Zenki and Kouki, who they failed to tame. Hao continues to observe as Anna held on to her beads and ran to aid her master. Yohmei Asakura has now released numerous leaf spirits who tried to counter attack the violent blows thrown by Zenki while Kouki successfully concealed the book they have guarded for thousand of years.

By now, the temple has been destroyed and the walls are dangerously crumbling. Surprisingly, the shrine that holds every single detail of Hao's skills is intact, not a gold lining detached. The three shamans frantically darted out of the temple barely making it as the place collapses, the Asakuras and their apprentice a breath away from being trapped together with the coveted book. However, their faces show not relief but hopelessness - as if their lives have also crumbled with the hidden temple.

Losing interest, Hao waved off the fire that projected the pitiful image. The spells he have surrounded the book centuries ago have always successfully alerted him anytime someone attempted to break through it. Malicious trials are numerous but Hao actually hoped that the blonde's attempt would go through because he is aware that all actions taken by Anna Kyoyama are done due to a single reason - to make Yoh Asakura stronger.

And more than anything, Hao Asakura needs a stronger other half as soon as possible. With the Cho-Senjiryakketsu gone, he knows that he needs to take matters on his own hands. The long haired shaman stands and looks over the horizon. The sun will rise soon and so will new twist in the dangerous game known as Shaman Fight.


Patch Village | Day 61, Shaman Fight Tournament

Hao has already anticipated violent reactions. Honestly, he is even prepared to burn some few friends of his little brother should they annoy him with their stubbornness.

"You want me to train under you?" Yoh asks and Hao takes note of the incredulous and dumb look on his face. It is disgusting to see such ignorant expression in a face frighteningly familiar with his. This other half of his has consistently brought nothing but embarrassment to Hao. If his temper cannot tolerate it any longer, the fire shaman is certain that he will absorbed back his soul prematurely.

But he cannot have that, as this may only yield disappointing results.

"Yes."

So he has to tolerate Yoh and his little friends who are now dangerously displaying their furyoku. Despite the brave front, Hao can clearly hear their terrified thoughts -

What is he up to?

Will he kill us?

Even if we fight him, we'll only be snacks for his monster Spirit of Fire!

Yoh!

What should I say?

- and that makes everything more amusing to him.

"What makes you think Yoh needs your help?!" The Chinese Shaman, he knows as Ren Tao, screamed at him. Hao muses that the smaller man's temper will soon be the death of him. It's unfortunate since the hatred and jealousy, which are overpowered just by a small fraction the positivity his disgusting twin brings, can be developed into something more - something that will increase his power tenfold. An unfortunate case, really.

"Get away from us, monster!" Now the Ainu decided to chime in. Honestly, they are getting on Hao's nerves. He did not have an eye shut last night after the worst turn of events. Had these little pests known it, they would not dare question him, much more shout at him, less they wanted to be burned into dusts.

As if the younger Asakura felt his developing annoyance, Hao hears a "It's okay guys, let him talk." from Yoh amidst the protests of his meddling friends. Maybe it is a twin-thing, Hao thinks but he doesn't really care. He just wants to get things over with because the Great Spirits seem to be having a good time making everything difficult for him.

"Why will I train under you?"

Or maybe Yoh does not get it. Hao is not in the mood to talk and he will let them know it. He gives a dangerous smirk at the pathetic set of shamans' screams who are swiftly suspended and strangled by the Spirit of Fire. This did not sit well with his twin but Hao resolves that they have pushed him to the edge by their ramblings and irritating weakness.

"Hao!" Yoh is now holding his katana at a fight stance with Amidamaru looming behind him. "Release them!" The younger's spirit is upset.

"You will train with me unless you want to mourn for ashes." His voice is dripping with seriousness and everyone in the area knows he will do his threats in a blink of an eye. The dusty wind howls through them but it did nothing to ease the foul temper of the fire shaman. Despite his pessimistic expectations, Hao hoped that this will not result into a fight. He talked to them courteously, although his proposition is something unusual. It is only natural that he wants the same respect he showed in return.

"Put them down!"

Hao's response is burning the African-American's, he matched with the name Chocolove, unruly hair.

"Stop! I agree! Just let them go!" Yoh's body language is frantic, with his steps going forward to his twin and backward to his captured friends. Hao can hear his jumbled thoughts, all circling about things that will save his friends. "Hao!" Said shaman notes the other's wide eyes and shaking legs. Hao is clearly aware of Yoh's fear that he will actually burn his friends should he be displeased. Regardless, he makes no move of releasing the Spirit of Fire's hold on the little pests.

"Yoh-dono! Don't do it!" The gang leader known as Ryu screams. Hao looks up and sees how the group struggles using their guardian ghosts to no avail. He can sense that they are about to deplete their furyoku but adrenaline courses through them. Hao lit up the Ainu's snowboard next.

"I'll train under you! Hao, let them go! Please!"

He is tired and he thinks they understand the message well. With a smile, Hao waves his hand and his giant oversoul disappears. The shamans on its hold are unceremoniously dumped to the ground with a loud thump. But before his twin can run to them, Hao appeared in front of him to remind the other of their agreement. Yoh stops dead on his tracks as Hao turns his back to him and faces the injured group.

"Don't bother us. I'll return him in one piece. I have no use for a dead half as of now so you have my word." Hao hears the colorful profanities thrown at him as fire engulfed him and his other half, transporting them to the fire shaman's base.

Hao needs a strong other half as soon as possible. And he will get that, regardless if he needs to do the work.

TBC.


A/N: Please note that this is Semi-AU. Meaning, I will be following main elements of the manga, but not necessarily the sequence of events. Thank you for reading.