Winds of Change

Pairings: HoroxRen, slight YohxHao

Rating: T for Teens, because of later chapters

Summary: No one knows what's heading their way, even if it's right before their eyes. They're both going through the same problems,but differently approaching their solutions. Each searching within their hearts for the right things to do with their lives.

Author's notes: This is an AU, so it doesn't actually take place in the storyline. Wow, I haven't written a Shaman King fic in so long, but for some odd reason, I still can't seem to get over this couple. And...this was a old storyline that I just twisted around a little, although I deleted the old storyline story...it wasn't shaman king though, it was for Tales of the Abyss.

Chapter notes: Yoh is kind of out of character in this chapter...I think he was too uptight...but it was needed...at least in this chapter...haha. Anyways, I just finished writing it yesterday (it's 1:05 am right now) and so I motivated myself to type and post it...haha. That rarely happens. Anyways, I hope you enjoy, this chapter actually turned out to be a lot longer than I wanted it too, maybe because I wanted it to end at a certain spot...though earlier in the chapter wouldn't have hurt either! xD Enjoy and leave a review, thanks!

Disclaimer: I don't own shaman king, although I wish I did...
Chapter four: Finally, the truth?

"He came to school early today so I didn't get to talk to him," Yoh simply stated with a loud sigh. "I would've thought that he went over to your place, Horo." He turned to give his blue haired friend his full attention.

"What?" Horo questioned, shaking his head to block out the thoughts floating through his mind. "No, I didn't see him this morning." His gaze went to the ground in disappointment. "But...I'll try talking to him again..."

"Are you sure you're okay?" Yoh questioned, furrowing his brows. "You seem very spaced out, not to mention..." he faded away with a sigh as he turned away with a sigh. "Never mind."

"Hey, don't worry about me, I'm perfectly fine." Horo smiled blissfully, though Yoh could tell it was just so perfectly fake. "By the way, where's Hao?"

"He didn't want to come to school with me, we got into an argument," Yoh simply replied, voice dull. "He really hates Ren, you know? I mean, if I wasn't his brother and all...I'd think he liked you or something...but I know for a fact he doesn't." He smiled faintly.

Horo remained silent, pondering hard about Yoh's comment on Hao's feelings towards himself. How could he be so sure about his brother's feelings, not to mention that when he really thought about it, it did seem like he liked him as more than just a friend. Brothers don't tell each other everything, even if they're twins.

"Oh, I'm sorry..." Horo said softly as he slowly fell behind Yoh's pace. "I mean...he was the one that suggested the dare."

"That was before he knew that Ren liked you. Not to mention, him and Ren could act very similar sometimes." He turned around, facing Horo with a stern look. "I'm saying this to you as a friend...the time may come when you have to choose between Hao and Ren."

"What?" He stepped back in utter shock. Why would he have to choose between two friends? He didn't even fully understand Ren yet and he's already forced to let him go? If Hao really didn't like him, then what could possibly drive him into a corner like this?

"Hao is very caring inside...he acts without thinking. So I can assure you that he will say some painful words to Ren that'll make him drift from you. When that time comes, you'll have to choose between the two." He looked away, turning his back to his friend again. "At least that's what I'm assuming."

"How can you say something like that and end with 'at least that's what I'm assuming'?" Horo questioned in a painful tone. "If you really think that, then why don't you try to stop him.?"

"You think I haven't tried? He's going to do this for you, not for me. So he wouldn't care about what I say, if you really want him to stop, then you try convincing him." He sighed loudly, he hated being in the middle of a complicated relationship.

"Fine, I'll talk to him tonight," Horo mumbled before stomping pass Yoh without another word said. Yoh wanted to speak up and tell Horo to talk to him sooner, but he already promised Hao that he wouldn't ruin their moment. Yes, Hao was going to cut class to talk to Ren before Horo could get the chance to convince him otherwise.

------

"You got it?" Horo questioned with his brows furrowed. Hao just sighed, not replying or even looking at the blue haired male. "Hao, don't hurt him or anything like that, he's a human being just like you and me."

"Why do you care about him so much anyways? Before you started talking to him a few days ago, you wouldn't have cared if I made fun of him or not, in fact, you'd be making fun of him with me." Hao childishly pouted as he turned away.

"Come on, that was before I knew the dude," Horo commented back, just as annoyed as Hao was.

"You think you know him now?" Hao questioned in a amused voice as he glanced at Horo. "Why do you think he avoided you? Why did you think he make up those lies about not wanting to be your friend? Don't you get the point Horo, he just doesn't want you in his life."

Horo looked hurt, it was true...maybe Ren really did hate him. "But he said sorry..." he barely whispered. "He said sorry to me this morning."

"But you said that you didn't see him..." Yoh finally commented, a bit ashamed at his friend for lying to him.

"I..." Horo started but thought otherwise. It was a complicated reason that the twins wouldn't understand.

"That's fine, I won't talk to him..." Hao commented as soon as he felt the tension in the air. "I promise," he added when he realized that Horo wasn't content with his answer.

"Thank you..." Horo smiled and Yoh grew silent again. He thought about saying something but thought against it, considering that it'll only bring more drama between the two.

------

"Hey Ren," the older Asakura said, trying ti get the younger male's attention, though he failed. "Hey kid, don't make me resort to physical matters."

"What do you want, Asakura?" Ren replied, though he didn't turn to look at the male. "If this is about HoroHoro, then I don't-"

"I don't care what you want!" Hao shouted as he punched the wall. "He wants to be your friend..." his voice lowered but it still held it's venomous tone.

"I don't want to be his friend..." Ren slowly replied with a hint of sadness. "I never asked for him to be my friend."

"It was my mistake..." Hao sighed as he grabbed Ren by the shoulder and forcefully turned him around. "At least I'm able to say that I'm the one to blame for this ever happening. Why can't you take your own responsibilities?" His grip tightened on the Chinese's shirt.

"He is not my responsibility, I never wanted-" before he could finish, the impact to his face cut him off. It wasn't that he was surprised that Hao had hit him, because he was completely expecting that, but maybe the fact that it came so soon.

"You are one selfish little brat, I don't know why he's trying so hard to get to know you."

"Me either," Ren simply replied as Hao threw another punch, though this time Ren didn't hold back, he punched right back. For a few minutes the two boys went at it, fighting till no end. Though Hao knew that Ren wasn't putting in his full power, the reason was unknown but he didn't care anyways.

"Go near him again and you'll get more than just a beating..." Hao breathed heavily as his stopped his fist from flying just two inches away from the other's cheek. He tried as best he could to hold back the rage, but it was just too much to hold in and before he knew it, his fist had finished the job.

Both males were bloody, both from each other's and their own. Hao stood from on top of Ren and began to walk away, of course Ren was also enraged too, and before he could comprehend what he was doing, he tackled down the older male as more blood was shed between the two.

"Hao!" A distant voice shouted as footsteps were heard running closer to the scene. Ren stopped upon hearing the steps, which caused Hao to get the upper hand.

"Hey, stop it Hao!" The voice shouted once more, this time the male was close enough to grab him and actually push him off the Chinese. "What do you think you're doing?!"

"That bastard started it!" Hao instantly spat out at his younger twin.

"That doesn't mean that you have the right to beat him up like this, it's useless!" Yoh shouted back, annoyed at the stupid action his older brother had done. "You better apologize to him..."

"Like hell I would! He didn't apologize to Horo!" Hao shouted back, and before Yoh could comment back, Ren stood and walked limply away from the scene. "He deserved it," Hao mumbled.

"He's a human being, he doesn't deserve a beating like that..." Yoh replied, glaring at his older brother. "I'm sure if HoroHoro found out, he'd run to Ren's side in a heartbeat."

"Hey, he's know me-" Hao was interrupted by Yoh's cell phone ringing. Yoh quickly picked it up with his casual 'Hello.'

"Oh, Hao had to stay after school for slacking in P.E today. Yeah, he's a little sweaty do I think we're going to go home and shower first..." Yoh simply replied. "Yep, we'll see you tonight. Don't worry, I'll be sure to bring Hao along," he chuckled lightly, trying to lighten the mood of his friend. "Alright, see you then."

"Thanks..." Hao simply stated after Yoh hung up the phone. His eyes dropped to the ground as he breathed in heavily.

"If you do something like this again, I'm not covering for you anymore." Yoh stated before walking away, not caring to help his injured brother.

------

"Hey Horo..." Hao softly whispered, interrupting the silence that had built up around them. "I..."

"We have to head home, our parents wanted us back as soon as possible since it's a school night tomorrow...and Hao still has to clean..." Yoh interrupted, standing from his position. "I hope you don't mind."

Horo looked at Yoh than to Hao. "Um...no hard feelings." he finally replied, feeling something weird in the air. "Oh, and thanks again...Hao..."

"...don't mention it..." Hao stood, instantly turning his back to Horo. He gave Yoh a glare before rushing out ahead of his younger twin. Yoh just gave Horo a small smile before leaving as well.

They walked a good chunk of the way back home on silence before the longer haired male couldn't take what was tugging in his mind. He actually had been thinking about it since this evening, after his attack on the Chinese boy.

"Why did you lie to him?" Hao finally questioned, causing both males to stop in their tacks. "I was going to tell him, you know?"

"I know...that's why I had to lie," Yoh replied in a soft whisper, head hung low. "I know it's not like me to do this kind of thing...I don't know what took over me."

"I don't know either, but what I do know is that we're brothers...therefore you can't hide anything from me," Hao sighed deeply, mainly to himself, before he laced fingers with Yoh and began to slowly walk home again.

------

"Ren's not...feeling well..." his mother simply stated. She knew he was beaten to a bloody pulp yesterday, but he wouldn't tell her the reason. "I don't think he's going to school today," she smiled weakly.

"May I...see him?" Horo asked shyly, unsure if it was a little uncomfortable for him to be visiting this place so casually. "I have something important to tell him."

"He doesn't want to see anyone, I'm sorry..." she replied, her eyes falling to the ground. She knew that deep withing her heart, letting Horo see Ren would probably be the best idea...but she also knew that Ren would truly be angry with her.

"Is he really...just not feeling well...?" Horo questioned, noticing that there was something she was hiding. "I...really need to see him..." he gently held onto her wrist, eyes begging to see her son.

"HoroHoro...you know that Ren may not want to be just friends...why do you continue to push him to such extremes like this? He may act cold, but he's really a kind boy at heart..." by this time her eyes swelled up with tears that threatened to fall.

"Extremes...?" Horo questioned to himself in a low whisper. "Is he badly injured?"

"He blames himself for my sadness...he blames himself for everything and carries that burden of pain all by himself." The tears fell endlessly, whether she wanted them to or not. "So if you're going to just be another burden...please leave him alone."

"I..." Horo opened his mouth, beginning his sentence but instantly stopped. How was he suppose to know if he was a burden to Ren or not, only Ren himself would know that. "I do not want to be a burden to him, I want to be a friend...standing by his side in times like this..." he let go of her, hand falling limply to his side.

They stood in silence as the female dried up her tears. She debated with herself whether to let him on or not. Minutes passed before she decided to let him in, knowing that it was better for the three of them.

"I'm sorry if he got hurt on my account, I mean no harm to him at all..." he lowered his head, ashamed that he hurt Ren in such a painful way that even his mother was acting this way towards him.

"He came home yesterday...he was beaten so badly he wouldn't even look at me. I didn't even have time to treat his wounds. Since then, he locked himself in his room..." She simply stated, leading the boy to her son's room.

"Yesterday..." Horo mumbled to himself. Now that she mentioned it, Hao had a lot of cuts and bruises as well, but both males claimed that it was from P.E.

"This is it...he won't answer if you knock, but I know that he's in there..." She nodded to Horo with a soft, gentle smile. It was her way of telling him that she approved of him watching her son.

"...thank you..." Horo turned to face the door. He took in a deep breathe and opened his mouth to begin but was interrupted by the sound of the female's voice behind him.

"I know I'm not a good mother when I say this...but I must go to work, and it's probably wrong of me to ask you this as well...but can you watch him for me? I'm going to be home late and I'm worried about him. You can go to school...I'm sure he'll be fine for a few hours." She was ashamed that she had to leave her only son like this, but she was the only supporter for the two.

"It's alright, you go do your think and I'll watch over him," Horo replied. He smiled faintly, thinking back to his own mother and how she cared for them so much...how she worked so hard to get them the things that they wanted as selfish children.

He waited until the mother left before leaning against the door and sliding down into a sitting position. He didn't know what to do...he didn't know what to say to Ren after the beating that Hao probably did to him.

"Ren...I know you're in there..." Horo started, unsure if the male was sleeping or awake. "If you're awake, can you please open the door?"

"I don't want anything...to do with you..." Ren managed to reply with a broken voice. Horo was surprised that Ren even answered and instantly stood from his sitting position.

"Can you open the door for me?" Horo questioned again, facing the door with a gigantic smile. He didn't even comprehend anything that Ren had said, he was just too excited about hearing his voice.

"I said I didn't want anything to do with you!" Ren shouted, followed by a loud clash at the door, which startled Horo, causing him to step back. "Go away, I don't want to be anywhere near you...you disgust me..." he finished in a soft whisper, loud enough to be heard through the door. Silence filled the air and Ren knew that he was still on the other side.

"You know, just as well as I do, that...it's not true..." Horo replied in a soft, comforting tone. "Now, just open the door and let's talk face to face."

"I hate you...I hate you so much..." Ren mumbled, lips shaking from a mixture of sadness and anger.

"If you really don't want me here...just answer me this one question..." Horo leaned against the door, his forehead meeting the wooden surface. "I want to know the real reason...why you continue to push me away..."

There was a long deafening pause before Ren also stood to lean against the door, which surprised Horo that Ren actually moved, considering he imaged Ren to be in a bad physical state right now. "...because..." his voice was soft, unthreatening like how it normally was.

Is this really the truth...or another lie...? Horo questioned to himself as he closed his eyes, concentrating on the small breathes that escaped the other male's lips, though it was barely heard through the door.

"I don't want to get close to anyone because..." his voice trailed off and another pause settled in. Ren slowly pushed himself forward and minutes passed before he unlocked the door, opening it slowly.

"...Ren..." Horo's eyes widened at the view of Ren, he looked a hundred times worse than Hao, but before he could finish scanning the boy, his soft voice caught his ears, almost like venom from a snake.

"I'm dying..." he breathed out, eyes falling to the ground. "That's the truth...and I swear it is," his voice was soft, so full of pain and regret.

Yea, I know what you're thinking...so far in every chapter, it has ended with Ren giving Horo another lame excuse as to why he doesn't want to be friends with him. Now, you decide...you think Ren's telling the truth here, or not? Oo...maybe depending on your reviews, I'll see what I want Horo to believe...sorry for the lame-ness...and the long time of not updating...plus the super stupid chapter! It's really not going my way right now...

LEAVE A REVIEW PLEASE! IT'S WHAT MOTIVATES ME TO CONTINUE THE FIC!!! And trust me, it's been hard to try to motivate myself...