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If it Takes Forever

By: Raikku of the Darkness

Chapter 9: To Save A Fish From Drowning…

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"So, this is Ren's house?" Yoh asked as the group of he, Horo-Horo, Manta, and "Wooden Sword" Ryu stood before the huge mansion that was Tao. A ghost stood to his left; Bason, guardian ghost of Tao Ren, had come to them in need. His master had been put bondage by his father, Tao Yuan, for an act of treason.

"It's huge!" Ryu exclaimed.

"Look at the landscape!" Horo added, as Manta stood wide-eyed.

He scratched his head. "We're lucky Anna let us go."

"You have my gratitude." Bason said, his voice filled with grief. "I apologize for involving you."

Yoh waved his hand. "Don't worry about it. Ren's our friend and we don't abandon friends."

A smile entered on Manta's face. "Yeah, Ren may be a jerk, but he's an honest jerk."

"Who cares what happens to Ren," the Ainu added. "As long as he springs for dinner."

"Yeah and the girls here are superb!" concluded Ryu.

And for the first time, Bason smiled.

"Lord Yoh!" a voice called out.

"We've searched the grounds but saw no one." the samurai, Amidamaru, said appearing in front of his shaman. His opposite, the bandit Tokagero appeared beside him.

"I checked the back," he began. "But I didn't see so much as a caterpillar."

Bason grew wide-eyed. "How can this be? Tao Yuan is extremely cautious! He undoubtedly know that we are here and is indeed ready!"

"It is unthinkable that no one is here." he continued. "Tao Yuan would never allow intruders into his stronghold."

Yoh cleared his throat. "Well…maybe he's taking a nap."

Fall.

Whap!

"OW!" Yoh exclaimed, rubbing the back of his head. "Why did you do that, Raikku?"

Hands crossed over her chest, Raikku floated with a tiny smirk on her face. "It's not from me. Raye-Chan asked me to."

The young shaman blinked. He had almost forgotten that Rayna, his cousin, had accompanied them to China. The ebony haired girl stood, back toward the boys, looking at the sun setting the distance. Rayna had been unusually silent since the adventure began.

She heard the boys yell "Let's go!" and the sound of running.

"Shall we go, Rayna?" Raikku asked.

Rayna sighed. "I guess so. There's no point staying here." The shamaness turn to leave.

"Rayna," Raikku began. "You shouldn't trouble yourself about this. The young master is strong. He…"

"Raikku, don't start with this again!" She exclaimed, hands covering her ears. Raikku closed her eyes in silent prayer.

Rayna sighed again. "I'm sorry. It's just…I…"

"I know." Her guardian smiled. "I… I understand. Feelings like these are new to you. It's normal."

"Well, I don't like feeling 'normal'."

Raikku chuckled.

"Just come on, it's time to whoop ass and take names!" And with that, Rayna sprinted down the hill after the boys.

"Slow down, Raye-Chan," the ghost whispered. "You're growing up too fast."

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An eerie silence was draped over the darkness of the Tao dungeon. An insect scurried across the floor and a rat sat in chains. His golden eyes shielded from warmth of the sun. Scars on his body beginning to fade. The rat was Tao Ren, one time enemy of Asakura Yoh and son of his captor, Tao Yuan. And he was the drowning fish…

"So, Asakura, you've made it this far." his raspy voice said, a smirk across his face. His eyes lit up when he looked behind him. "You too, Kishami?"

Rayna rolled her eyes. "Please. If it was my decision, I would leave your ass to rot down here."

Ren laughed. "Right. And I'm the queen of England."

"Then God save the queen!"

"You're an imbecile."

"You're an imbecile!"

"So you are Rayumi Kishami." A voice said behind them. Tao Jun, the elder sister of Ren stood before them. "I've heard much about you."

Yoh waved. "Hi, Jun."

"Please don't call me 'Rayumi'." Rayna cringed.

Ren rubbed his now chain-free wrists. "Are you alright, Ren?" Yoh asked.

"Hmph." he replied. "Of course. You forget who you are speaking to."

"A fool." Rayna whispered loud enough for the Chinese teen could hear.

"Well, let's get out of here." Yoh said motioning for the exit.

Ren stood up. "I'm not going anywhere."

"But, Ren!" Jun exclaimed. "This is dangerous!"

"Yeah, don't be stupid!" Yoh added.

But Ren didn't hear. He walked down a little ways and stop. He turned around. "Why are you following me?"

Rayna stood behind him. Her blue eyes peered into his golden. "I'm just going to make sure my investment is safe."

Ren was confused. "Investment?"

"Yeah." she walked closer to him. His heart beat quickened. "I bet twenty bucks that you would come out on top."

Ren shook his head. "Besides," Rayna walked ahead of him.

"I'm gonna be the one to beat you." she said smiling, turning toward him. "Trust it."

Ren walked past her. "Do what you wish." he whispered. And as they walked, side by side, Ren was glad he wasn't drowning anymore.

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Author's Note: Thank you to all of my readers. This is my first Christmas gift to you! Only a few more days until my OC art is posted so stay tuned.