Disclaimer: I do not own shaman king.

XxX

Yoh swallowed nervously as he glanced at the fire shaman, who was sitting just a little too close for his liking. It wasn't that hard to guess that Hao wanted to talk about either who Yoh was or about being saved. However, the strangest feeling told Yoh that it would be both. The biggest problem would be how to explain who he was. What should he say? He'd be in trouble if he answered honestly, but he couldn't lie either.

"The only things I can think of that you might want to talk to me about are who I am and about me saving you." Yoh said.

"You're close. Mainly, I just want to know who you are. I find it unlikely that you're a shaman, but I doubt that you're just human. A normal human wouldn't have been able to find this place, much less enter without getting caught. So, who and what are you?" Hao asked.

"...My name is Yoh and I'm an encantado. Usually we encantados remain in the form of a pink river dolphin but we can turn human. I'm one of the few encantado that can do a perfect change as well as a half transformation, which looks a bit like a mermaid." Yoh explained.

"Oh? And why were you trying so hard to hide?" Hao asked.

"I didn't realize most shaman forgot about it. There was a war between shaman and encantado about 300 years ago, there were many casualties on the shaman's side and the encantado were mostly wiped out. We have pretty much avoided contact with the other side ever since. I didn't want to make myself an enemy of so many shaman all in one place." Yoh replied.

"I can understand that. I'm familiar with the encantado, but I haven't heard of the war. However, I can't say that Goldva and the patch officials haven't heard of it. They'd react a lot differently than I would, can't say if that would be a good thing or a bad thing though." Hao said.

"...Um, now that you know, what are you going to do?" Yoh asked hesitantly.

"Is there a need to do anything?" Hao said simply.

"What?" Yoh asked.

"I don't care about some war between shaman and encantado, it has nothing to do with me. All I really care about is the fact that you saved me. I'd like to give you my thanks, but I'm not quite familiar with the customs of the encantado. Is it the same as humans or is it different with your kind?" Hao asked curiously.

"I think it's a little different, but not very. I've seen humans do it too." Yoh said simply.

"How does one say thanks?" Hao asked.

"Like this."

Before Hao had a chance to react, Yoh leaned in and placed a small kiss on Hao's lips. He pulled back immediately after and was a little confused at Hao's reaction. Something like that was rather common with other encantado, so it was strange to see someone so confused at such an action. Hao looked like he couldn't decide whether to be irritated or embarrassed.

'How did he manage to catch me by surprise me like that? Opacho is the only one who has ever managed to get close to me before. How did Yoh manage to kiss me?' Hao thought. However, his surprise quickly switched into amusement upon noticing Yoh's confusion.

"My reaction really isn't that strange." Hao said after reading Yoh's thoughts.

"What?" Yoh asked.

"Thank kind of kiss is usually done between a couple. It can be used as a thanks, but generally only with one's significant other." Hao explained.

Yoh's face turned a bright red as he understood what Hao meant. "Oh... Sorry."

"It's alright. I was the one who asked how encantado say thanks. Speaking of which-"

Now, it was Yoh's turn to be surprised. Hao grabbed hold of Yoh's waist, making sure he had a decent grip before pulling him closer and connecting their lips once more. A moment later, he broke the kiss and looked back at the very confused encantado. Yoh appeared to be at a complete loss for words, quite an interesting sight in Hao's opinion.

"Thanks for saving me." Hao said with a smirk.

"B-but didn't you say-" Yoh began.

"Though that may be true with us, for you it's still just a simple thanks, right? Well, I probably should get going, Opacho is probably waiting. See you." Hao replied.

Yoh could merely stare in shock as Hao disappeared in a mass of flames. '...Hao ...He sure is a strange shaman.' Yoh thought before diving into the water.

XxX (the next day)

Yoh` watched quietly from behind a rock as Lyserg sent his dowsing pendulum into the water in another attempt to find him. Lyserg would have found him ages ago, if he knew he was looking for a dolphin that is. The pendulum had passed by Yoh several times now while in search for him. He didn't mind the distraction, the pendulum was pretty to look at under water.

Although, Yoh was a little concerned. He knew that Hao would probably be coming any moment now to talk and it didn't look like Lyserg intended on giving up any time soon. He came a little closer to the surface after sensing another presence, but to his surprise, Hao was not the one who appeared. From behind the bushes came Jeanne and Marco.

"So this is where you've been coming so often." Jeanne muttered as she glanced around the clearing. "It truly is mystifying as they say."

"M-Milady" Lyserg gasped in surprise. "I didn't expect for you to come here."

"I was curious about the lake and why it seemed to captivate so many people, including you... Now I think I understand, it truly is stunning." Jeanne replied.

"It is. The reason most people come is to express their worries. For some reason, saying your doubts here seems to put people's minds at ease." Lyserg sighed.

"I heard a rumor that someone lives here." Marco said while fixing his glasses.

"Oh. You mean the lady of the lake, right? People don't know if anyone really lives here, or even if someone does live here, no one knows if they're male or female. But, people call this mystery person the lady of the lake because rumor has it that that they're very pretty. Some people come here for the sole purpose of meeting her." Lyserg replied.

"Is that why you come here so often?" Jeanne asked curiously.

"I suppose it's one of the reasons." Lyserg replied with a smile.

XxX

Yoh: What do you mean lady?

Me: Well, encantados are said to be very pretty, so I thought I'd play around with that a bit.

Yoh: I'm not a girl.

Hao: You'd look cute as one though.

Yoh: Not you too Nii-san...

Hao: please review