"Some," Riku answered simply. "But I'm a Dao-shi not a shaman. I wasn't schooled in it. Is this going somewhere?"
I nodded my head. "Yes. Well, do you remember the ones that aren't supposed to be around anymore? The ones that died out?"
Riku nodded back to me. "Vaguely," his head cocked to the side slightly as he crossed his arms casually over his chest, one slim eyebrow arched. "Should I ask if you're distantly related to one or something?"
"I am actually. I don't think my parents knew or anything though… Or they did and just never got around to telling me."
I watched as Riku blinked. "I watched waaayyy too many movies when I was alive," he murmured to himself. Then he sighed. "Wow. So, um, any idea why you were a victim of a drive-by when no one else was around?"
I turned my face so Riku couldn't see my features. "I think they were some of the people that killed my parents." Riku didn't answer and I felt the tension growing in the air. It felt as if he was thinking back on something. Only I wished I could read his mind to know what was thinking about.
"Why do you think that?" He asked finally, but I could still sense he was thinking about the same thing he was before he replied. Turning my head I looked back at the male spirit.
"What's wrong?" I asked quickly. "If its not them then it has to be people who want to kill shamans? Or anything of the like?" Riku blinked slowly and nodded even slower. He frowned as his face looked like he was falling deeper into thought.
I smirked as I thought of the best way to get Riku to snap out of it. "Will you be my spirit partner?"
Riku grunted in pure surprise and stared down at me. "You're whacked!" His voice showed just as much shock as his face. "Tell me you don't get high on those painkillers they've got you on, because you have to be on crack right now!"
I shook my head. I hadn't even thought about being high on the painkillers the doctors had me on, but I knew that wasn't why I asked the Tao. "No, I'm serious. I was going to ask you anyway." I answered quickly so it didn't look like maybe I thought he was right.
I watched as his eyes widened even more in surprise. "Let me think about that," he answered slowly. "I'll get back to you later…" The features on his face couldn't show any more surprise, confusion or puzzlement then it was at that point. "But, uh, why may I ask? I've seen how Ren treats Bason…"
My brows furrowed. I could already feel the tears coming. He was going to reject me. A shaman and a Dao-shi couldn't mix even if one of them was dead. Plus, he was a Tao. What was I thinking? But I had to try and get Riku to see this my way.
"You think that's how I'm going to treat you?" I asked him. I watched him blink. His attitude changed quickly after my question sunk in. He almost seemed scared but not that far, maybe skittish.
"It's what I was
taught," he answered slowly. "How would I know?"
I
shook my head hoping this was helping to bring him over to being my
spirit partner. "I only thought to ask cause I hoped you might
be my friend…"
Riku's head cocked to the side. "Why does that mean I would have to be your soul partner? I don't mean to sound blunt, insensitive, or rude, but well, let's just say my brother has taken the magic out of the idea, yes?"
I sighed. Nope, I think I lose him. Then again I had one more plan to try. It worked on Yoh and Manta. I turned my head away from Riku's gaze as I replied: "Then leave. Thanks for saving me."
A gasp in surprise escaped his lips and I knew his eyes were wide. His spine was probably stiffening every second that passed. "Not a chance," his voice was firmer then I thought it would be. But it was his words that took me off guard. "I'm at least going to make sure you come out of this alright."
The second part I wasn't expecting but I couldn't let up now. "Why? Why do you care? I'm just a stupid little Japanese shaman." I snapped though it came out harder than I had intended.
"What? What'd I do to—Why do you think I think that? I never said—I just—" I could tell from his voice and the way his thoughts wouldn't come out straight that he was probably grimacing. Maybe I had pushed it a little to far.
I choked back tears I had been trying to hold back the whole time. I didn't want them to come out while someone even a spirit was there. The doctors would probably think the tears were from the painkillers wearing off or even realizing that I was still alive after being shot twice in a drive-by shooting.
All I wanted was someone to understand me, someone that doesn't judge me like everyone else. I think I find that person even if they are a ghost and then this… I thought as the tears finally fell.
"Kimi? I, um… are you… all right?" He asked awkwardly, his tough guy personae failing as each second ticked by.
I opened my eyes and looked up at him finally. "Does it look it?" I asked, hoping my voice didn't show how torn up over this I was.
Riku arched an eyebrow. "Not really," it was blunt. "I, uh… should I ask what the matter is? Are you in pain?"
"In mental pain." I answered truthfully. The male spirit cleared his throat awkwardly. He sighed. He looked like he was battling with himself over something. Maybe he was really considering being my spirit partner.
"I accept your offer." Riku said finally. My eyes widened. I never imaged that he would actually take my offer of being my soul partner.
"Really?"
I caught his hesitation before he nodded stiffly. "Yeah, really." His answer was dragged out bit he really said yes. Even as these new emotions flooded my senses, my face fell.
"I don't want to force you to do something you don't want to. You don't have to."
A wryly grin spread across Riku's face. "If I didn't want to, I wouldn't believe me," he chucked ruefully as he arched an eyebrow. "Is there some special process to this, then?"
A/N: Okay, out the next day. I think I'm doing good. Fair warning I'll be gone this weekend and next and a day or two afterwards as well so no chapters coming out on those days. But I'm happy to say I don't think this story will be put down for a while. But I can't make any promises.
