Chapter 1

Hi everyone… Presenting Through the Ages to you. As the summary says, this is about Manta travelling back in time to the Heian Period, and where he meets the first-life Asakura Hao. I've been toying with this idea for a pretty long time, but only got down to it recently. I'll try to be as regular as possible in updates. The second chapter's already done, so it shouldn't be a problem for now. ;)

Oh and please don't get the wrong idea, this is NOT a yaoi or shonen-ai fic. It's simply the relationship of two people I've always been curious about. What kind of relationship? Look at the genre.

Disclaimer: I do not own Shaman King. Never have, never will (though I wish I did)

"The Heian Period of Japan was a period of peace and prosperity, preceded that only of the Nara Period," the brown-haired teacher explained. "It is marked as the Golden Age of Japan, and it is also within this era that the written language also included Chinese, although it was mainly reserved for men's use only…"

The whole class was silent as the teacher carried on with her lecture, but whether any of them were really listening was doubtful. Only one student, blonde and small beyond belief, was listening with rapt attention, and taking notes at high speed.

The Shaman Fight had been temporarily put on hold, for the Patch had showed an unusual display of generosity by allowing the participants go back to their homes for two months. Of course, the real motive (as explained by a sheepish Silva), was to allow the Patch tribe some time-off to recoup their losses, since funds were running dangerously low, much more so than usual.

Still, Manta wasn't unhappy, and neither were the rest of Yoh's team-mates – each were secretly grateful for being allowed the chance to visit their homes again, although all had complained loudly about the delay. Horo Horo and Pirika had gone back to Hokkaido, Ren, Jun and Pailong had returned to China, and Chocolove had gone back to New York. The rest, including Manta, Yoh, Anna, Ryu, Faust and Eliza, had decided to come to Funbari Hill instead. While Yoh and the others were better off relaxing at the house, Manta found it more worthwhile to continue with his extra night classes instead, and had taken up a course specializing in history at the school conducted every evening.

"Well, that's it for today," the teacher concluded, finally ending another session of night class. "Please do a report on the Heian Period, to be handed in next week." A series of muffled groans followed, and the class immediately started to filter out.

After a couple of "See you, Manta!" on his way out, Manta began a small jog to the train station, in an effort to keep himself warm. It was already 10pm, the autumn air was chilly, and the short blonde couldn't wait to get back the warmth of Yoh's house.

A report of the Heian Period… Manta mused to himself as he sat himself on a seat in the near-empty train. A certain mahogany-haired someone came to Manta's mind, one who he would rather not think about… Asakura Hao had been one of the rarer ones that were less-than-happy about the suspension of the Fight, probably since it meant a longer delay to accomplish his goal. The last that Manta saw of him had been when all shamans had been called to gather to receive the news and his expression had been void of the usual indulgent composure that was usually plastered on his face. It was somewhat regained afterward, after a sardonic smile had crept across his lips when he caught Manta staring at him.

Just the memory of that friendly yet intimidating grin made Manta shiver even now. Come to think of it, Hao was also born in the Heian Period, Manta remembered with a slight jolt. 1000 years ago…

Still, why was he even thinking about him? What did it matter, anyway? Hao had nothing to do with himself. As the train came to a halt, Manta alighted, determinedly keeping himself from thoughts of the pyromaniac.

The silence hit Manta like a brick when he first stepped into the house. Sensing something amiss, the blonde kicked off his shoes and made his way to the hall, only to find it empty. So was the kitchen.

Manta wondered first if they had gone out, but quickly dismissed the thought, knowing that Anna would have made sure all the lights were switched off. So where were they? And why wasn't Ryu making his voice heard as always?

He didn't have to wait long to find out.

Climbing to the next floor, he soon heard muffled voices coming through a shut door – Anna's room. Curiosity instantly peaked, he was about to knock when he heard his name being mentioned.

"…Shouldn't we inform Manta about this?" a deep baritone belonging to Amidamaru filtered through the door.

"No." The curt tones were easy to recognize. "The fewer people who know about this, the better. This is very advanced magic, and possibly the most dangerous."

"So?" Ryu's coarse voice asked in confusion.

A small sigh. "So, it's best for a normal human like Manta to be left in the dark. Time travel is no laughing matter. If he were to find out, do you think he would be willing to be left out? What if the spell went wrong? He wouldn't be able to do anything to protect himself."

"I still think that we should at least let him know, Miss Anna," Amidamaru replied. "We don't need to allow him to participate, just…"

A slight thump on the table cut him off, sounding like Anna setting a tea cup down firmly. "And then he'll FEEL left out. Like we're not including him even after he decided to stay with Yoh. All of you know that it is absolutely impossible for Manta to defend himself against danger."

A short silence followed this proclamation. "I'm not saying Manta is weak," Anna's voice said resignedly. "I'm merely being realistic. We cannot possibly allow Manta to risk himself like this, and a high level of power, control and skill is needed to go back in time safely. Manta is but a mere human. That fact cannot be changed."

"I agree," Yoh's voice spoke softly, with a hint of regret in it. "Although I hate to do this, Manta can't come with us."

Ryu sighed. "Well, if Master says so… There is a point, I guess."

"How are we going to do it?" Amidamaru asked.

This time, it was Faust who spoke. "The longest possible time span that can still provide some measure of safety stated here in the Cho Senji Ryakketsu is 513 years. It's not impossible to go further back, but it is extremely dangerous and strongly discouraged. But there is no need of that. All we need to do for now is to go back 13 years ago."

"To put an end to Hao the moment he's born, right?" Yoh said.

"Will it work though?" Amidamaru asked tentatively. "Wasn't Master Yohmei unable to do it at that time?"

"Only because he hesitated at the last moment. Without that, Hao's existence could have been erased. We're going back to make sure that it happens."

"And the Spiritual Sword? 1080? Why…?"

"For 100 success. Now…"

Manta heard no more as they discussed further. Although he already knew from the start, the conversation struck a chord in him as if it were new. A mere human… high level of power… can't protect himself…

He wasn't blaming his friends. They were right. He WAS nothing but a mere human in the end. What would he be able to do if he went back with them? Watch by the sidelines and cheer them on? That would work, and was appreciated, in the Shaman Fight, but not when it came to the final confrontation. Not with Hao.

Humans cannot understand us shamans…

Was Hao right, after all? Manta was always the one left bewildered at the decisions made by Yoh and his teammates. He could never understand the meaning or logic behind those choices without someone first explaining it beforehand to him. All of them were so… mature and wise in their own special ways. He? He constantly worried and panicked about things that were so common to them, and lectured Yoh on his carefree attitude more often than most people, when that had actually been Yoh's greatest strength.

He sunk down outside the door. It was a hard fact he had to accept – that Yoh's pillar of strength could not, and would never, come from him and him alone.

Suddenly, a strong gust of wind blew out from under the door, rattling its hinges. Pulling out of his reverie, Manta realized that they must have started the spell. He instinctively reached for the door knob, but pulled back quickly. No interference. That was the best he could do to support them now.

"Damn," Ryu cursed, sounding tense. "What is it - ?"

The door burst open, and Manta was nearly hurled back by the furious winds. "MANTA!" the people cried in astonishment.

Manta couldn't have answered even if he wanted to. For a huge vortex had formed and was coming closer and closer to him, and he could only watch, as it drew nearer.

"Manta! MANTA!" Yoh's voice reached his ears, but only faintly. Swirling grey smoke surrounded him, and a gushing roar had enveloped his ears. He was strangely unafraid.

His last sight was of Yoh reaching out toward him slow motion, before his world went black.

END OF CHAPTER 1

Author's Note: Guess where Manta's headed to? XD I know this chapter was pretty boring, but it was necessary to show how exactly Manta got sent back, wasn't it? Hopefully, things will get more interesting with the later chapters.

And…please…REVIEW!! I'd really like to know if people are interested in the story or not, please let me know if there're any mistakes. It would greatly boost my morale to know people actually reading. :)