A/N: Sorry, it's a shorty, but it seems to be all I am able to produce right now.

Disclaimer: I do not own Shaman King

~~ShamanKing~~

At least I tried, she thought, closing her eyes and waiting for the impact.

Chapter 51: Waking up

The group of friends fell silent as Ayamae's lashes fluttered. She wrinkled her nose, a furrow formed between her brows.

"Aya," Hao whispered softly, almost not daring to speak. He didn't know what he would do if she had lost the fight against her darker half. He didn't think he could take it.

Ayamae frowned, eyes still closed. Her hands formed into fists, her jaw clenched.

"She won, right?" Pirika asked.

"I don't know," Anna said, shaking her head.

"Aya-san?" Yoh asked, leaning over the girl whose head rested in his brother's lap.

Up came a clenched fist, nailing Yoh directly in the jaw and causing him to fall backwards. The others let out yelp of dismay and shuffled backwards. Hao felt like screaming, like tearing the universe apart as Ayamae sat up. She couldn't have lost. It just wasn't possible.

"YOU IDIOT!" Ayamae's voice rang out, harsh and angry. "How could you have put everyone in danger like that?!"

The boys, currently turning to grab their weapons, halted.

"What?" Yoh said, picking himself up to face the irate girl, but she was no longer facing him.

Hao felt his heart flutter as she turned to face him, not able to process what she had said. He looked up to meet her eyes, expecting the cold, black orbs to be glaring at him in condemnation.

Instead he was met with Ayamae's clear turquoise gaze with his own. Ayamae smiled at him as well, before his jaw was also introduced to a painful fist.

"I could've killed you all," Ayamae said, pulling herself to her feet as Hao sat on the ground, stunned.

Anna clambered to her feet as well Ayamae's mouth quirked in a half smile. Before anyone else could register what was happening the two girls were hugging, and though no one wanted to say anything, they were sure several tears were shed as well during the embrace.

"It's good to have you back," Anna whispered.

"It's good to be back," Ayamae replied, pulling away from her best friend to face the group at large. "Thank you for not giving up on me."

"Never," Yoh said, still rubbing his jaw. "Just one question, why'd you punch me?"

Ayamae sniffed and narrowed her eyes. "Because you should have given up on me. Now come on, we need to get moving."

"Wha? Just like that?" Ryu asked, finally pulling himself out of the shock that had consumed him.

"I think we've wasted enough time in the forest, don't you?" Ayamae asked. "Besides, you all need a shower."

"You're not much better," Horohoro grumbled.

"What was that?" Ayamae asked. Her face was stern, but her eyes were sparkling with amusement.

"Nothing," Horohoro squeaked while the others laughed at him.

"I thought so," Ayamae said.

"But, what about the Shadow King?" Ren asked. He was ready to kick some serious booty and didn't think backtracking out of the woods would be the best idea.

"He was never here in the first place," Ayamae said.

"Then where?" Jun asked.

"I have no idea," Ayamae said, frowning. "He just sent me to stop you all. Now let's go."

The others had more questions they wanted to ask, but found themselves speechless when Hao suddenly grabbed Ayamae and pulled her in for a kiss. It didn't last long and the two pulled away from each other with harsh gasps.

Hao looked rather giddy, Ayamae was rather red and turned on her heel before anyone could say a word, marching into the trees and forcing the others to follow or be lost.

And so; with a sigh, a shake of the head, and a smile; the others followed her out of the woods.