Author's Note: While watching the Shaman King series unfold I couldn't help but feel bad for Hao (Zeke in the American version). In episode 28 where the gang had just met Lyserg and were trying to get to the second round of the Shaman Tournament (Patch Village), Yoh said to Amidamaru that "I can't forgive what he's done, but he Zeke has to have his reasons, right," explaining how he felt about Hao's actions. And so that's where I found my inspiration for this story. It's probably not very consistent but I thought it made some kind of sense when I thought of it. Enjoy.
Disclaimer: I don't own Shaman King…Hiroyuki Takei does...but I wish I did. That would be kick azz.
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It was a crisp, cool day, years before the Shaman Tournament would begin again. The autumn was coming to a close and the final harvests were almost complete. I had reached the ripe age of 15 and I was able to undergo a series of challenges to test my strength as a Shaman. I had already completed my first challenge and mastered the element of Metal, thanks to my father's extensive training.
My father never acknowledged that accomplishment, though, as he was more concerned with meeting with an old friend of whom he hadn't seen for a long time. From what I could understand, my father's friend was a very mysterious trader, specializing in herbs from a remote part of China. I thought it strange that she would have such relations since China seemed unconcerned with the rest of the world at the time. But then again my father did always say that Mei Tao was an unusual woman.
She was making a business trip to Japan to sell her exotic goods and herbs and decided to pay my father a long overdue visit. From what I've heard from the village women, her goods were unlike any in the entire world. And so I was curious as how she came to know my father, a simple farmer from a remote village in Japan.
A small precession signaled her arrival. I was busy in the field preparing for the harvest when I saw the small group approaching down the road. Quickly I ran to tell my father. By the time we walked out of our little home, everyone in the village was already gathering around our new visitors. All seemed amazed by the bright fabrics and beautiful fineries of the small group of travelers.
"Where is she?" I heard my father say to himself.
At the time, I knew nothing of my father's planned reunion with Mei Tao, and so, was curious as to what he was going on about. But before I could ask my father my burning question, a woman appeared out of a litter covered in the finest and most elegant Chinese garb that I had ever seen, though in truth I had not seen much of the Chinese fashion.
"Mei!" my father shouted with joy.
Still as beautiful as always, my father thought.
I was shocked at my father's declaration, even if it was in the confines of his own thoughts. I was even more shocked to hear such tremendous delight in my father's voice when he called her name. My father was not the type to show much emotion and yet, this woman could bring such things from my father by her mere presence.
Who was this woman?, I thought to myself.
His greeting was returned by a small, yet bright, smile from the woman whom I assumed was Mei. Though she did not possess the Japanese beauty that I more preferred and was accustomed to, I found that she was still more attractive than the majority of the women in the village (though I would never say so).
Exiting the litter behind her was a young lady, no younger than me, dressed in nothing but a simple black robe with silver trim. She seemed quite out of place among the fine silks and embroidery of those around her, more interested in the village than the decorative items she sold. She, nervously, stayed close to Mei, almost hiding behind her delicate form.
I wonder who she is?, I thought curiously.
"It's good to see you again, Han," Mei said to my father, "It's been so long."
"Yes, it has," my father said.Then gesturing to me, "This is my son, Hao."
"Welcome to our village, Mistress Tao" I said with a respectable bow, putting on my usual, kind front.
I don't know what it was, but any kind of human contact irritated me. The only person I seemed to be able to tolerate was my mother. She was the only one who understood and respected my yearning for solitude and isolation from society. But my mother always taught me to respect my elders and so I was reduced to always smiling to others when I would much rather leave without even acknowledging their presence.
"He seems so much like you when you were his age, Han" Mei chuckled.
"Please, do not encourage him," my father joked.
"I'm sure he will grow up to be a respectable man," Mei reassured my father. Then gesturing to the girl she said, "This is my daughter, Kiemi."
Daughter?, I thought in alarm.
Without a word, the girl named Kiemi stepped out from behind her mother and bowed, dutifully, at the introduction. There was something about her that didn't seem quite right. That was when I saw her eyes. Unlike the usual Chinese girl with raven dark hair, she had the strangest eyes that I had ever seen, ice blue in appearance. They almost seemed cat-like in a way.
How strange, I thought.
"You must forgive her," Mei said, "She is shy around strangers."
"Well, I think we can fix that," my father said with a smile; another thing my father never did often.
What spell does this woman have on my father?, I asked myself as we proceeded into the house, And what is this force that I'm sensing from her daughter?
"Mei, it gives me great honor to introduce you to my wife, Haruna," my father said giving my mother a little squeeze of affection.
"It is nice to finally meet you," Mei said with a bow, "Han has told me so much about you."
"He has said much about you as well," my mother replied with a smile.
He has, I thought, Why have I heard nothing of this woman?
"Good things I hope," Mei joked.
They proceeded in discussing things that were of no interest to me. And from the looks of it, Kiemi seemed just as uninterested in their conversation as I was. She managed to entertain herself with something by the window while I was trying, desperately, to stay awake; something that didn't go unnoticed by my mother.
"It would seem that our children find our past dull," my mother commented when she noticed that I was nearly asleep.
"They are young and shouldn't be kept inside listening to old stories," Mei said with an understanding smile, "Please, go outside and enjoy the day."
With that, I nearly jumped out of my seat trying to get to the door. But my mother's voice stopped me from crashing through our front door.
"Hao, take Kiemi with you," my mother's kind voice said, "Perhaps a walk through the forest would do you both some good."
The thought of having to endure her eternal silence almost brought me to tears. But never one to disobey or upset my mother, I agreed. Kiemi also seemed hesitant follow me outside.
"It's alright dear," Mei assured her daughter, "Hao seems like a nice boy."
With a last look to her mother, Kiemi followed me out of the house while I tried my best not to show my distaste towards my unwanted company. As we left the house, I looked up as I stretched my stiff muscles. The sun was high in the sky and it was just about time for the midday meal. Looking at Kiemi, I thought that she might like something to eat as well.
Mother always told me to be polite, I thought.
"Are you hungry?" I graciously asked her. She merely nodded at my question. Frustrated at her lack of communication with me, I went to get something for the both of us to eat while muttering angry words under my breath.
The least she could do is respond to me like a civil person instead of a mindless drone, I fumed.
But by the time I returned with our meal, my anger had subsided and I could tolerate her silence once again. When I held out the sweet bun I had gotten her, she smiled in thanks and politely took it.
She's consistent, I'll give her that, I thought to myself, a bit cheerfully, Well, there's nothing I like more than a challenge.