Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters from Shaman King
A/N: Hi everyone. Apparantly I'm back again. I'm sorry that I didn't upload anything new in such a long time, various reasons held me from writing for quite some time now. In addition to that I am very nervous about this chapter. I went over it a thousand times and I don't know WHAT is bothering me, but something is.
Uhm.. This chapter mainly shows the positions the different groups have right now, that is, before the tournament. Above that it shows a little more of Mai.
Before the Storm
"Wooohoo" This was how Horo greeted his new home for the next few weeks as he jumped on the simple bed violently. Ren reacted, as was to be expected with rolling his eyes and disapprovingly grunting at the sparsely furnished room. THIS was not acceptable for the future Shaman King. Considering the lack of alternatives it would have to do though. What would not do, however was Chocos jokes, which resulted in Ren hitting his dark- skinned friend right over the head "What was that for? I didn't even say anything!" He complained rubbing his head. "This was to remind you of keeping it that way." Ren retorted smirking self contentedly. "Does somebody have an aggression problem?" Horo called mockingly while jumping from one bed to the next. "Shut up and get down there at once Ainu. I swear, if I can't sleep peacefully because you broke my bed you will collect your limbs all over the continent." And thus the bickering went on.
Yoh stretched out yawning on his new bed and grinned at the ceiling. One bed to the left Faust was busy admiring his dear Eliza while Ryu stared out of the window in search of his dream girl. Needless to say that he looked out in vain.
"Ahh what a nice day it is! I think I'll go exploring for a bit" Yoh expressed his feelings, in his voice there was no sign of any other thoughts on his mind. Nobody would have guessed that he, although really happy over seeing Anna again, was thinking about nothing else than her reasons to be here.
On the roof Tokageroh and Amidamaru sat in silence and occasionally exchanged remarks on their surroundings until Yoh left the building and was followed by his loyal spirit out of the village.
"Master Yoh. Where are you going?" The faithful samurai asked. Turning around partly without stopping to walk Yoh grinned up at him "Huh? Just walking around for a bit, looking over the island. It's a nice place, very peaceful." While speaking he looked around himself, taking in the lush forest and the clean air, breathing in deeply and then grinning at Amidamaru, all the while without slowing down in his step. "Really? I thought er.. that something would be on your mind, with mistress Anna and everything." Yoh looked thoughtful for a moment or two and just as he was about to answer a strong rhythm created by drums interrupted him. Naturally he followed his curiosity and soon found the source of the banging on a clearing.
There a large group of the spirits of native Americans had assembled, some were playing music but most were translating the rhythms into a ritual dance, creating a story, weaving it into their steps and movements.
Yoh watched amazed the dance and absorbed as he was by the story it took him quite a while to recognise in this mass of spirits, the only living figure in the area apart from him. It was Mai who completely in sync with the spirits told their story with them. So in sync where her movements, so similar was her clothing and so alike her aura that her presence was nearly absorbed by the spectres surrounding her.
Upon this realisation Yoh continued to stare in awe for a while before he drew back and crossed his arms over his chest thoughtfully as he went back the way he came. "What do you think of Mai, Amidamaru? Amidamaru?" The samurai who still had been staring at the clearing pulled himself together and blushing came floating to his masters side. Yoh grinned amused at him "What was that about?" Amidamaru looked embarrassed "I don't know.. it was just too... fascinating." Yoh didn't believe this explanation entirely but didn't press the matter "What do you think of Mai?" He repeated his question.
Knitting his brows Amidamaru considered " I really can't tell. She seems nice but there is something in her eyes I can't really place. She doesn't look like a fighter, yet her movements are fast and nimble and her reflexes seem to be excellent.." It didn't sound like Amidamaru had presented all he thought of the matter but Yoh knew better than to force the rest out of him. Too much effort and besides, Amidamaru would tell him in good time when he really needed to know.
Nevertheless he rolled around the information in his head on his way back, because whatever reason Anna had to be here, Yoh was convinced that Mai had had a hand in it.
In the part of the village reserved for the officials Anna was sitting in her room. The red curtains, drawn against the bright daylight, illuminated the room with a weak reddish glow. She was sitting silently, meditating to regain her inner balance, breathing in and out deeply, ridding her head of all thoughts, calming herself to a point of absolute inner peace. All under the eyes of a figure motionlessly staying in the deeper shadows.
"The defeat of Hao has to be our most important aim. That monster is the incarnation of evil, and we, the X- Laws, have to stop him at all cost." Marco's voice echoed through the hall where the X-Laws had assembled and looked up at him. They knew this, and they were ready to give it their all to accomplish this goal. Next to Marco Jeanne stood in her Iron Maiden, with the lid opened so her smiling face beamed down on her followers. "Of course you know all this and our purpose in this fight. Still today our goal is different from the way it was half a year ago. While banishing evil by eliminating Hao and his companions stays our first aim now our duty is extended on the protection of the high priestesses. They are the holders of the key to the great spirit. We must under now circumstance permit this girls to come under harm or to be corrupted by Hao's evil ways." Jeanne's words were greeted by frantic applause from all the X-Laws, including Lyserg who was standing in the first row and hanging on Jeanne's lips as she continued her speech.
Darkness had long settled and all the village was sleeping when Mai slipped into the little flat above the officials assembly hall she shared with Anna. Silently she crept through the hall and into her bed.
Anna strongly (violently, impressively and loudly) had objected to Mai's like of having the house burst with spirits, music and party not only for hours but for days. To avoid conflict Mai had shifted her noisy activities out of the house, which meant in her case that she was hardly there at all. Consequently communication between the two girls was cut down to a minimum, but still even now in the silence and darkness of the night there seemed to be some kind of understanding between the two of them.
Anna wasn't asleep, she was worried and Mai didn't need to be told to know. "Hey.. sleep Anna, ruining you health won't change anything." There was no answer. Another person might have considered Anna's persistent silence off putting but Mai stared at the back of the other girl and after some time started another attempt "You know.. things will work out." That shot had gone home, Mai was sure of that and indeed although Anna's eyes filled with tears a sad smile graced her lips before she fell asleep.
Taking in the deep breaths of the other girl Mai turned on her back and looked blankly at the ceiling. She had noticed Yoh today, she had known he was there and she had read his mind. One last thought lingered on her mind before she drifted off into slumber. ~Asakura.. you will be trouble~
Behind the building complex which held Hao and his group a mighty fire was burning. It was the middle of the night and only Hao, the undisputed master of fire was sitting next to the bright flames and grinning to himself. All others had gone to sleep hours ago and now the self-proclaimed future king was thinking about his day. The girl Mai... he couldn't read her mind but there was something else about her which intrigued him even more. She would be quite amusing and if she decided to see reason and join him, she could make a great addition to his world of shamans. So could Anna but biased as she was thanks to his not so powerful other half, convincing her would be next to impossible. Too bad really because it was a shame to kill such a pretty face, especially when it belonged to a nice body and a strong character. Strong, but misguided. Hao shook his head. How very misguided everyone seemed to be, so small and pathetic in their world views and reasoning. So very weak, blind and deaf to higher knowledge. Mai probably was like that too, a nice dancer though as he had seen on the clearing.
He grinned as he let the flames lick higher. If nothing else she could be just that, a little dancer, an entertainer to him. After all even the greatest king needs some distraction once in a while.
A/N: Soo, that was it. I hope it wasn't all that bad. Reviews and constructive criticism are appreciated. Flames will make me cry and then they will be ignored.
