I have...RETURNED! DA DA DAAAAA!...I am soooooooo sorry for not updateing in like...FOREVER! My family and I have moved and we have not had any kind of internet access for what feels like a life time. The only internet I can get is from my workplace and it's only with my phone I can't take my computer there and I am unable to upload flies to my phone for some reason. So I hope you all can forgive me for this very, very, VERY late update. Thanks to my grandparents having WiFi I was able to update. The only trouble I had was with my laptop. It wanted to be a pain and not connect to the internet, but as you can see it all turned out great!

Please Enjoy!

Disclaimer: As always I do not own Shaman King. But the plot for this fic is all me baby!

After the food was eaten and the dishes washed, Yoh insisted that he check Manta's wounds. The two found themselves in the living room, the T.V. turned on to some random channel. Yoh left to fetch more bandages and returned to find a breathtaking sight. Manta sat on the floor next to the large round table in the middle of the room. His hoodie lay on the floor next to him.

Now Yoh had seen Manta shirtless before, when they were younger and last night, though his was more focused on stopping the bleeding. But this, the sight before him was just amazing. He could see the pale color of the youths skin, the muscle that had not been there when he had said his cruel goodbye. Manta's sandy locks fanned out against his firm shoulders. Then the small scars that adorned his back. Where did Manta get those?

Yoh continued to stare at him until the person in question turned his head and locked eyes with him.

"What are you staring at?" Manta asked.

"An angel." Yoh wanted to say but didn't. Instead he shook his head and sat next to the other. "Nothing."

Manta nodded and let Yoh take off the old bandages. He noticed how the shaman's fingers seemed to linger on him, as well as the heat his touch seemed to leave.

"Well it looks like your arm is healing well." Yoh said as he wrapped a bandage around it. "I say another week and it should be gone."

But when he gazed at the long gash on Manta's chest, Yoh's face fell. He gently ran his fingers over the wound, it was red around the edge and swelled slightly. Hopefully it would not get infected. Yoh was broken out of his trance when another hand grabbed his. He looked up and was met again with Manta's gaze.

"Yoh?" But the shaman barely noticed his name being said. Nor did either of the two notice how both their faces began to grow closer and closer...

They would have gotten closer but a certain spirit had to pop in out of nowhere to ruin the moment.

"Pardon me but-" Amidamaru called as he appeared before the two, but stopped when he saw how close their faces were. "Am I interrupting something?"

"Not-not really." Yoh stuttered out. Manta looked down in the floor, his whole face red.

"Uh..well I just came to inform you of the time." Amidamaru smiled sheepishly. "It is half past eight and-"

"WHAT?! Holy cow work!" Manta yelled, his blush fading quickly, and quickly stood, but forgot that he was still holding on to Yoh's hand.

Manta looked at their interlocked hands and then to Yoh. Manta's blush reappeared full force before gently pulling his hand free. Both looked away neither willing to make eye contact or speak. The silence last a couple of minute before one spoke.

"I should finish with bandaging you up, before you leave." Yoh said as calmly as he could. Manta just nodded and sat back on the floor next to him.

Less then ten minute later Manta was at the front door slipping on his shoes. Yoh stood behind him, Amidamaru floating beside him.

"Well I'll see you guys later." Manta said turning around a wide smile plastered on his face. "Thanks for last night it was a lot of fun hanging out again."

"Even if you did get cut up?" Yoh tried to joke.

"Yeah I could have lived with out that." Manta chuckled softly. "Well...bye."

Manta turned and left with a wave. Yoh waved as well, even after Manta left his hand remained in the air. He eventually dropped his hand and heaved a heavy sigh. Turning away from the door he saw Amidamaru looking at him strangely.

"What?" Amidamaru just smiled and floated away.

"You have got it bad." The ghost said under his breath so the boy would not hear. "Oh young love." He thought happily to himself.

Even if the two love birds were both morons.

Not to far away, in a not so busy convenience store Manta stood behind the counter with a dazed expression. He managed to stand at attention whenever a customer came to the counter but went right back to how he was when they left. This continued on until his break. Manta sat in the back room munching half hearty on his food. His mind lost in thoughts of what had happened that morning.

"He was so close." Manta subconsciously ran his fingers over his lips. "And we almost..."

Manta shook his head as a light blush covered his cheeks. He quickly finished his food then went back to work. The rest of the day went by fairly fast. He was just fifteen minutes from clocking out when a familiar face showed up.

"Why hello Manta-kun!" Hoshi-san yelled happily.

"Good evening Hoshi-san what are you doing here?" Manta smiled.

"Well, I was just out for a stroll really," Hoshi-san looked around some of the shelves occasionally pulling items off to inspect them. "I remembered you worked here and thought I would say hello."

The two talked more, until Manta clocked out, Hoshi-san buying a few snacks before hand. When they exited the store they were met with a surprise. There standing in front of the store was Yoh, Amidamaru beside him. This time in his more human spirit form.

"Yoh?" Manta looked at the taller boy both surprised and happy to see him there.

Hoshi-san smiled. "Well if it isn't your boyfriend Manta!"

"What are you talking about?" Manta blushed and glared a the older man. "He's not my boyfriend...he's...uh..."

"Your stalker?" Hoshi-san suggested, smiling slyly.

"Yes-No! Grrr, why am I even talking to you?"

"I do believe the word you are looking for is "friend", Lord Manta." Amidamaru piped up.

"I don't know. Boyfriend sounds a lot better." Hoshi-san said looking at the ghost.

Everyone was silent for about two minutes after that.

"Well I should be going, then see you Friday night Manta, if not sooner." Hoshi-san waved at them and sent a small bow to Amidamaru. Then just walked away, like he did not just leave both boys standing there. One in shock the other in mild surprise.

"Uh..Manta?" Yoh asked

"Huh?" Was all the other could reply.

"Your boss can see ghost?"

"Uhh..."

The silence lasted about five seconds before Yoh's stomach let out a loud growl. "Well I say we go eat!" Yoh declared.

The two walked back to Yoh place, chatting about their day and anything else they could come up with. Once back at the inn Manta set about starting dinner. Yoh tried to help but ended up burning some of the food.

"I can't believe my boss can see ghosts." Manta said taking a bite of some slightly charred fish.

"It's not really all that big a surprise," Yoh smirked. "After all you saw when we were younger you still get excited over the silliest thongs."

"Well...it's been a few years since I had to deal with ghosts. After you left I stopped doing anything that had to do with ghost or shamans or anything related to it." Manta set down his chopsticks and stared at his plate. He could feel Yoh piercing gaze on him.

"You know after I started high school, some of the kids I went to school with picked on me a lot about the whole ghost thing." Manta closed his eyes as if remembering all the times he was bullied. "It started out with just names and jabs at my height, then got to the point where they got physical."

Yoh wasn't sure what to say, he just sat there watching Manta. Mannoko had told him that Manta had gotten into fights but didn't really give much else on the matter.

"Maybe she didn't know. Maybe no one knew." Yoh thought sadly, guilt filling his very heart. "After I left Manta was left-"

"Alone." It was said softly, just above a whisper, but Manta heard it all the same.

"What?" Manta tried to look the other in the eye but his head was downcast. "Yoh?"

The next moment Manta was pulled from the table and wrapped in Yoh's arms. His face and hands rested against the taller boys firm chest. Yoh's head was on top of Manta's, his muffled words barely audible.

"I'm never leaving you alone again!" Yoh whispered fiercely. "I'm never going to let you get hurt! "You're never going to be alone again!"

Manta could feel tears beginning to fill his eyes, and when they began to fall he just buried his face in Yoh's chest and wrapped his own arms around the one he treasured most, the one his heart belonged to, the one he feared the most to loose.

They stood there holding each other. Neither knew how long they stood there nor did they care. All that mattered was the person they held it their arms.

(Sigh) I just love cute, fluffy, emotional moments! (squeal) Well there it is, the 7th chapter. There is more coming so don't worry. This sounds like the end but it is not. No! There is more to come!

As always, please let me know what you guys thought. I don't mind the feedback I get from you guys and wouldn't mind hearing ay ideas you might have.

REVIEW! LOVE YOU ALL!