Chapter 37

Spells and Techniques

Morning sunlight poured into the room as Ren opened his eyes. Something shifted beside him and he looked at it. He smiled and brushed some hair away from his lover's eyes. She stirred again and looked at him. "Good-morning koi." He greeted. She blushed. "Good-morning to you to. How was your sleep?"

He smiled and pulled her closer to him. "Perfect." She smiled and nuzzled into his neck. "That's good... Do you think we should get up?" He nodded. When they got up, Mati went to the mirror that was in the room and looked at the red mark that Ren left her yesterday. She laughed. "If Hao see's this he will be madder than hell."

She touched it slightly and it glowed. "What are you doing?" Ren asked. "Making sure only a few people can see this." "Who?" "You, me, the gang, Silva... and Hao of course." He laughed. "Good idea." After that they went downstairs and were greeted with stares. "What?" Mati asked. Yoh pointed to her neck where he could see a part of the red mark.

"Where did you get that?" "I got it at a tattoo store, where do you think I got it?" Suddenly everyone was laughing. "What is so funny?" Silva asked. Anna turned to him. "Silva, what will make Hao madder than anything?" Silva tapped his chin. "Uh... losing the Tournament?" Anna shook her head.

"Anything else?" "Um, uh... Mati's power belonging to someone else, including herself?" Anna pointed to Mati where she showed him the mark. Silva choked. "You've got to be kidding!" She grinned. "Nope, sorry Silva, but that's what happened." "Hao is going to kill you Ren." Ren grinned. "Who said it was from me?"

Silva laughed. "But you all have to keep an eye out now for Hao and his goons." Everyone nodded. "We will Silva." Mati said. "And if he tries to hurt Ren, he's gonna wish he was in hell." Ren smiled and wrapped an arm around Mati's waist and kissed her neck where the mark was. Suddenly, Mati's necklace went red and Ren let go of her and sat down with the others.

They sat, confused for a second, before a sneering voice cleared it. "Who's going to wish they were in hell?" They turned to the door where Hao was standing with Opacho by his feet. "Hao." Mati growled. He smiled at her. "Why so hostile, my love? I have not come here to fight." "Then why are you here?" Ren asked, irritated.

Hao looked at him. "I have come to tell you that I have a fight coming up, and it would be nice if you guys came and saw it." Horo snorted. "Why would we see your fight?" Mati sighed. "Fine, we will watch it. I believe you want to show us what were up against." Hao smiled at her again. "So smart, as always."

She 'hmph'ed and stood by Ren, who was the closest to Hao." "Is that all you want? Or is there something else you want to see?" Hao was about to answer when he saw the red mark. His eyes flashed in anger before looking at Ren murderously. Mati growled and tensed, like she was going to attack Hao if he tried to touch Ren.

"You..." He seethed. "You did this..." Ren nodded and stood beside Mati, who was glaring at Hao, daring him to try something. "You will regret this... Even if I am not the one that kills you." Mati started to snarl at Hao, threatening to kill Hao herself if he did not leave Ren alone. Hao glared at her one more time before leaving with Opacho on his heels.

After he left everyone let out a sigh. "So," Silva said. "Are you still going to his fight?" "Silva we have to." Mati said. "These guys need to see and learn." Silva nodded and 10 minutes later they were ready to go. As they were leaving, Mati pulled Ren, Horo and Choco to the side. "Mati what is it?"

She sighed. "My father wants to see us, right now." The three looked at her confused. "When did you talk to your father Mat?" Horo asked. "Just now." Mati answered. "I have a telepathic bond with him, and we only use it if it is important." The boys nodded and they walked out of the restaurant and followed Mati to a nearby bridge.

Once there, Mati stopped. "Father, we are here." The wind shifted and Horo and Choco turned around. There, they saw a man with a mask of a bird and wearing a decorative kimono on top of one of the pillars that held the bridge together.

"Yohoo!" He greeted, waving at them. Horo and Choco freaked. "Ahhhh!" Horo yelled. "This is not good Ren!" Choco yelled at him, pointing at the man. "There's a weird old man up there...!" Both Ren and Mati just stood there. "Hm?" The man observed. Ren turned his head to look at the man and Mati backed away, standing at the far side of the bridge.

"Your Furyoku, I have felt it many times before." Ren finally said. "Woo!" The man said. "You are indeed observant." He tossed a rock in the air and snatched it. "But such an observed Furyoku is so weak when used in confrontations. Wanna try it out?" Then, without warning, he attacked Ren.

Ren blocked it just in time, but ended up bleeding. "Ohh...?" Ren said, surprised. "Ah!" Choco freaked. "He attacked so suddenly!" Horo gaped. Then the man was back on top of the pillar. Ren spun around, his hands in fists, one in front of him and one pulled behind him. "Being able to avoid a direct hit just now means that you have a high level of physical arts. But that also means you're too reliant on your brute force."

The man rubbed his chin. "Being able to retaliate at the point of contact is good. But after looking closer, your raised fists look ridiculous." Ren sat there, with a stunned expression on his face. "Eh?" Choco said, shocked as well. "He can actually... stand motionless at that spot." Horo gaped. Then they got angry.

"Damn! This old dude is suspicious!" Choco said, getting in a fighting stance. "You really want a piece of us?" Horo yelled. "Enough." The boys turned to look at Mati, who was looking straight at the man. "No more playing father. You should tell them who you are." The boys turned back to the man, who was still on the pillar.

He sighed. "I guess you are right." He jumped off the pillar and landed on the bridge. "I am Mikihisa Asakura, 41 years old. I've come especially to teach you guys the 'Chou Senji Rakketsu'."