I ran as fast as I could from the scene. If any o them ever met with me again, there could be serious trouble.
"Not a word about what just happened. Got it?" I asked Ariel.
"Of course, lady Haniel."
"Good. Ugh, going for a walk was the worst idea."
I was barely able to make it to my room before collapsing on the bed. I just remembered I haven't slept nor eaten for the past couple of days.
"Hello, Haniel." Greeted Hao from the door. I didn't answer.
"Get ready for tonight. Yoh has requested to see me and I'm taking you along. I have the feeling it has something to do with you."
"I'm not going."
Hao chuckled.
"Did you forget our deal already? Be ready to leave in one hour."
-No one's POV-
Ren slammed the door opened. Inside, everyone was sitting around, and the twins where whispering something to each other.
"Yoh, when is your 'plan' going to start, huh?" Asked Ren impatiently.
"As a matter of fact, soon. I requested to see Hao in about five minutes. We were just getting ready to leave." Yoh answered while stretching his legs.
"Then let's go." said Haru. He and his sister were already at the door.
When everyone arrived to the meeting point, Hao was already there. Haniel was standing a few feet in front of him, as if acting as a shield.
"So, Yoh. What is it that you want to talk about?" asked Hao with a smile.
"Damn you!" Shouted Aki while lounging for him. Not far behind was Haru, equally enraged.
Ren tightened his grip around his weapon, but Horo Horo stopped him.
"Don't. This is something they should work out on their own."
Haru's and Aki's weapons were about to connect with Hao, but a sudden flash of light pushed the both back before they could reach him.
"Ugh." Groaned Aki, while getting on her feet again. "What the-"
When the dust cleared up, everyone saw what caused the sudden impact. It was Haniel, standing right in front of Hao with her staff out.
"Haniel..." whispered Haru. But he got back up and tried to attack once again. Unfortunately, Haniel stopped him once again. The twins tried getting through her several times, but it seemed like Haniel was always two steps ahead.
"What's going on? Why is she protecting him?" Asked Chocolove from the back.
"Can't you see?" Answered Anna with her arms crossed. "She is doing it to help the twins. If she fails to protect Hao, the twins will have a confrontation with him. And if they do, they'll die for sure." Then she turned to Yoh. "It's time."
He just nodded and took a step forward. "Stop this." he said.
Everyone froze in place.
"Hao, I have something to say." Yoh said.
"Go on." urged Hao.
"If you do not release Haniel, I will withdraw from the tournament."
Haniel's eyes widened. Hope was building up inside her. She turned around to see Hao's answer.
"Fine." Agreed Hao with a smile. "I was waiting to see how long it would take for you to try and get her back. I must say you took longer than I thought. Oh well, I better go back." Then he took flight and disappeared into the night.
"Why..." murmured Haniel as she walked to the twins. "What the hell were you thinking? What if he just decided to kill you all? YOU COULD HAVE DIED JUST NOW!" Then her kneed gave out and she fell to the ground.
"You're worth it." They both answered at the same time. They each grabbed on of her arms and helped her up. Then she walked to Ren and wrapped her arms around him.
"I am so sorry..." she whispered. Unlike the last time, Ren returned the hug. "Do not worry about it. It's okay. You're okay now." Then he felt everyone's eyes on him and he let go nervously. She just smiled.
Everyone gathered around Haniel to see if she was fine. Horo Horo tried to hug her, but Haru stood between them, making it impossible for him to get closer than a foot from her.
"Let's go, guys." She said to the twins. "And Yoh. Thank you so much. I owe you big time."
Haru and Aki placed and arm around Haniel and walked away with her.
When they were far away from everyone, Haniel halted suddenly.
"Guys." She said.
"What is it?" They both asked.
"From now on, you're staying as far away from Hao as possible. No matter the circumstances."
"Why are you saying this, Haniel? What about you?"
"I'll be the one to bring him down. Even if I have to make it to the final round of the tournament."
"But you said-" Aki said.
"I know what I said, Aki. But things are different now. He used me back there and threatened to kill you. Now it is way more than personal."
"Come on, Haniel. You can't be serious." said Haru. "I mean, are you sure you know what you're getting yourself into? The shaman fight is not a game."
"Do you think I don't know that?" I know better than anyone what I have to lose..."
"Look, Haniel. We know what you are going through, but you are not thinking straight!"
"I agree with Aki."
"Akira, Haruto," Haniel turned really serious. "How many parents have you lost?"
Silence.
"That's right. You are my family now. I can't lose you, guys. I just wouldn't bare it."
The whole way back was silent.
Back at the inn, Haniel felt right asleep. She could finally close her tired eyes. The twins went to bed at the same time, but instead of falling asleep, they waited for Haniel to lose consciousness before slipping silently from the room.
"So, what do we do now?" Asked Aki. They were talking quietly in the hallway.
"It's coming true. The prophecy, I mean." Replied Haru while rubbing his temples. "It's too dangerous."
"Do you think she suspects anything about the real prophecy?"
"I don't think so. She just knows what grandma told her."
They didn't noticed Yoh and Ren walking into their conversation.
"What prophecy are you talking about?" Asked Yoh.
Haru and Aki both gave a startled jump.
"W-what are you doing here?" stuttered Haru.
"We came to see how she was doing, but accidentally heard you talking and..." Yoh tried to explain.
"What exactly were you talking about?" Asked Ren.
The twins looked at each other, as if deciding to tell them or not.
"Fine. Since you saved her earlier, we will talk." Sighted Aki.
"You remember that Haniel is the child of our family's prophecy, right?"
They both nodded.
"Well, you only know half of it." Finished Haru. "At first we didn't concerned much about it, since she wasn't planning on making it to the final round of the tournament. But after the 'incident' with Hao, she is dead serious about making it all the way just to defeat him."
"That doesn't sound so bad..." mentioned Yoh.
"You don't get it. According to the prophecy, Haniel will have a major fight against Hao. And if she defeats him..." Aki's voice broke at the last sentence.
"If she defeats him WHAT?" Urged Ren. He was suddenly felt the heavy atmosphere.
"If she wins, there is a price to pay." Haru finished, while wrapping his arm around his sister. "She will pay with her life."
Ren felt as if he had been punch in the gut.
"Whoa, are you sure about that?" Asked Yoh.
"Everything in the prophecy has come true so far." Sobbed Aki.
*CLICK*
"Did you guys heard that?" Haru said while looking around suspiciously.
"Heard what?" Aki tried to listen, but heard nothing.
"It sounded like the room's door closed just now."
"Do you think it was Haniel?" Aki panicked.
"No. She was asleep when we left..."
"So what are you planning to do about the prophecy?" Asked Yoh.
"Easy." Answered Ren. "We don't let her win. As simple as that."
Haru chuckled.
"What is so damn funny?" Ren snapped.
"Do you seriously expect it to be so easy? Haniel is stronger than any of you suspect. She has always been."
"I don't see you coming up with a better idea, asshole."
Haru tightened his fists.
"Look, bastard. If there is any chance to stop the prophecy from coming true, I wouldn't hesitate to take it. Even if it costs my life."
Ren walked to Haru and smashed him against the wall.
"That makes two of us." He said low enough for only Haru to hear.
"Ren..." Said Yoh. "We're not here to look for trouble."
Ren released Haru and headed for the exit.
"Sorry about that." Smiled Yoh. "He is just really concerned about Hani. I've never seen him act like that for anyone before. Well, I better go after him. See ya!" Then Yoh left in the same direction Ren did seconds ago.
"I'm sorry to say this, Haru, but Ren's plan wasn't such a bad idea." Aki said.
"I know, stupid. I just hate to see how much he cares for her." Replied Haru as he rubbed the back of his head.
-Hainel's POV-
"If she wins, there is a price to pay. She will pay with her life"
Haru's words kept spinning in my head. I heard them walking out of the room and decided to follow them, but stopped at the door when I heard they were talking about some pretty important stuff.
Now it turns out I'm destined to die? I was born for this?
I took a few deep breaths and pulled the covers over my head. Strangely, I felt kind of relieved. I mean, I was a little angry about the fact that everyone seems to be hiding something from me, but now I knew that if someone were to die, it would be me and not the twins.
So what to do now?
Should I just quit the tournament? Of course not. If I have to give my life in order to kill that bastard, then so be it. And with this thought, I fell asleep.
That night I dreamt with my mom again. But this time I could only hear a single phrase. Remember, Haniel, revenge never helped anyone.
I woke up in a cold sweat and gasping for air.
Haru and Aki weren't in the room anymore and his beds where made. They must have left early this morning. Fine, I feel like being alone today, anyways.
It took me a whole hour to get out of bed and dress up. I decided to skip breakfast and just head out to town.
As usual, the streets were packed with people, but less than before. The shaman tournament has obviously reduced the shaman population. I was so lost in thought that I didn't notice when I bumped into someone.
"I'm sorry about that." I apologized to the stranger.
"Not at all, young lady." answered the man. He had a bird mask over his face and a long brown ponytail. Even if I couldn't see his face, he felt kind of familiar.
"Have I seen you before?" I asked.
"I think I would remember, but maybe you know my son, Asakura Yoh." The man said. "And you would be?"
"Chikako Haniel." I answered politley. So another Asakura, huh. This used to be my family's enemy...
"A Chikako, huh. Funny meeting the heir of the former enemy of the Asakura. Are you aiming to become shaman king?"
"Not really," I answered truthfully. "I have my reasons."
"That wouldn't be defeating Hao, right?" He asked.
I just stayed silent.
"Guess I am right. Don't worry; I'm not here to judge you. I know your reason for hating him."
"You do?"
"That's right. Hao is my other son, afterall."
Did I heard right? Has is his son. Does that means that Yoh and Hao are...brothers?
"You must be thinking about the relation between Yoh and Hao, am I right?"
"As a matter of fact, yes. He never said anything about it..." I trailed off, thinking how much they look alike.
"Are you angry?"
"Not, really. Just because they are brothers doesn't mean they are the same person."
The man chuckled lightly.
"I'm glad to hear that. Oh, and my name is Asakura Mikihisa, by the way."
"Nice to meet you, Mikihisa." I extended my hand for him to shake, but he just kept staring down at me.
"Um, Mikihisa? This is becoming a little awkward, so if you'll excuse me-"
"How about I double your chances of defeating Hao?" He said suddenly.
"What did you say?" I asked.
"That's right. Train with me three days and I can assure you that you will be twice as strong."
"Why are you helping me defeat your son?" I asked.
"Just because." he answered. Should I trust an Asakura? Well, I already hang out with his son so...
"Fine, I'll do it. When and where?"
"Tomorrow at 5:00 a.m. right here. Oh, and I must warn you that my trainings are no child's game."
I smirked. "Is this a challenge?" I asked defiantly.
"Take it as you like." He said before disappearing into thin air.
"Asakura Mikihisa, huh? We'll see what you're made of."
