Disclaimer: I don't own SK. I want to own Hao, though. Argh, I wrote this 5 years ago…so please pardon the foolishness.
Looking for her
During the while, Lyserg was trying to locate Tamao, but he couldn't sense her furioku or Hao's, which made him think.
Of course, Hao could have thought about this and take contra measures. He wouldn't give up his life so easily.
Ren was furious. All their plans depended on Lyserg.
After other few tries, they gave up and went to search on their own.
They made up two teams: Yoh+Lyserg and Horo+Ren.
They searched all day, hoping that she was all right. Lyserg suffered the most.
"I refuse to lose another person I love to Hao" he said, not realizing he was speaking his thoughts loud.
"You love her?" Yoh asked. "I didn't know that. When did it happen?"
"It's not your fault that you're too blind to see it, Asakura" Ren said. "And you're not the only one who loves her, Lyserg"
"You have feelings for her too, Ren? Since when?"
Ren smacked Yoh.
"Shut up, Yoh. It's only making us feel worse"
"And I still can't do it!" Lyserg complained.
"Don't blame yourself. We'll have a better chance tomorrow. Go to bed" Anna said. "I think Tamao realized it by now. She's not stupid. This, she's the one controlling Hao. He made a big mistake"
"What if she falls in love with him?" Lyserg asked her. "If she does, he will gain his full powers and she will lose her power over him"
"Tamao will never love Hao. She knows what he's capable of" Anna stated.
"But what if she does? What if she tries to picture Yoh instead of Hao and ends up by falling in love with him?" Lyserg asked desperately
"This doesn't make any sense" Horo mumbled
"Yes. She must love Hao, not Yoh. I think this is painful for her" said Ren
"And she will seek consolation in Hao's arms" said Horo, regretting this a second later when he got hit from two different sides: Ren and Lyserg. Two bumps appeared. Yoh laughed.
"It's late. Go to bed, now!" ordered the Itako. "We'll find him tomorrow"
"And we'll make her choose, right?"
"I agree. But we still have to find her and defeat Hao first"
Hao woke up slowly, feeling something — or someone resting against his shoulder. Tamao still slept profoundly. Thinking about the day before, he smiled. They had talked all day after she took care of him, enjoying each other's company.
He had told her everything that was bothering him, what he saw and learned in his other lives, how he made his team, how much he missed staying with them, talking to Opacho…
Tamao had also told him things about her life, about Yoh and Anna, about her dreams…
They knew each other very well now and Hao thought that a miracle happened. Maybe, he still had a good chance to live. She could have left his alone, but she didn't. She knew he was weak, and instead of deserting him or killing him, she helped him.
Was this love?
He stood up, careful not to wake her and walked a few steps. He was powerful again, thanks to her.
What a girl! He would have never thought she was so worthy a few years before, during the Tournament.
"Mmm…"
Tamao opened her eyes and yawned.
"Good morning"
"Good morning, Hao"
He approached to her and kissed her softly.
"Come, I'll take you to Lyserg's place"
"Now?"
"Yes, now. They must be worried about you"
"You don't need me anymore?"
"I couldn't force you to live in a forest forever. And besides, I'm sure you miss them too"
"Can I ask you a question?"
"Um…sure!"
"Do you like England?"
Hao laughed.
"Not really. It's too cold for me here, and the weather's bad"
"I think that, too" said Tamao blushing. I like Japan better"
He snapped his fingers and the Spirit of Fire appeared. Hao gently pulled her up by the hand.
"Come"
Soon, they were flying above the great city. It was a cold morning and Tamao was shaking. Hao took her closer to him and embraced her to keep her warm. She was doing everything she could not to look down, although the view was great.
"Are you afraid of heights?" he asked her after a while
"A little bit…"
"You can look down if you want, don't worry. You won't fall because I'll hold you here"
"Oh, OK!"
She looked down at all the monuments she could see.
"Wow, isn't that…?"
"Big Ben. I believe this clock inspired Lyserg to create one of his attacks"
"Yes. It's big"
They soon arrived at the gates of Lyserg's residence. She descended, helped by him, of course.
"So, it's goodbye?"
"For now. But we'll see each other soon. I have some things to do, and then I'll return for you. Thanks for everything"
"Bye"
He flew away and she headed towards the door, not knowing what to tell them. She felt like she had betrayed them. Now, she knew that she loved Hao, and he knew it too. He didn't need her anymore. But did he love her too? Everything was possible.
A maid opened the door and she climbed the stairs at the first floor; a door opened on her right.
"Tamao!"
DeeDee: Ok, I know, I was a little bit evil, but...
Mariko: That was really evil, how could you end the chapter here?
DeeDee: Well, um...
Mariko: Well, um what?
DeeDee: I'll write a chapter soon...?
Mariko: ;)