It was a Tuesday. Obviously, he had lost the last train home. Yoh offered to let him stay at his place, but Manta didn't want to intrude and abuse his friend's kindness. He already helped him in so many ways, Manta could only repay with friendship, advice, lore studying, and plenty of loyalty. Not only that Yoh was the only the one who didn't laugh at him when he said he believed in ghosts, but introduced him to this crazy world of his as well.

Manta couldn't get enough of it.

Amidamaru was a recognized Samurai, a force to be reckoned with and a great friend, making the perfect Guardian Ghost. Yoh was a laid back guy who seemed to have plenty of luck when actually he was very smart in his own way. He was very kind and willing to help even his own enemies when in need. Together they made the perfect team, and Manta couldn't hold his excitement for the Shaman Tournament.

It was going to be a blast.

Before he managed to even step on the street, the light turned from green to red and the small human had to jump back not to be hit by the cars that sped over as the light for them turned from red to green. Shaking his head to get the initial shock out of his system (no matter how many times this happens he still won't get used to it) he thought he had seen a figure passing by through the shadows acting as one of them with a human shape.

He didn't think much of it, told himself he needs to get some sleep as soon as he reached his home and lay off the late studying. But once he crossed the street, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was being followed. Something in him wanted to turn back and face whoever was behind him, but when he did it there was nobody. Seeing of his road again, the feeling that he was being followed returned and he quickened his pace.

'Is it a friend? No wait, I don't have friends. Is it a friendly person who wants to become super friends? No, they would've made their presence known. Oh, good Lord. What if it's a ghost?'

Swallowing his thoughts and his nerves, he decided to take the short cut at the docks (crossing through them would save him at least ten minutes, but it was scary at night and the sailors were not known for being polite) when at the top of the main and tallest covered building dock he saw a figure standing there, in the wind's beat, looking at the stars. Getting a better look, he relaxed instantly. That was his friend, Yoh.

"Hey, Yoh! Over here!" Manta shouted, waving his head and stilled middle move realizing his mistake. Yoh went home. In the opposite direction. That was not Yoh. The figure turned to look at him, but Manta had already taken off. "Sorry. Wrong person. Nice meeting you. Byeeee!" And he didn't look back, nor stop running until he reached his bed at home.

The Next Day

The heat was unbelievable, unbearable, unable to be stood up against. Manta was gasping loudly, sweat running down his face rapidly. It must have been a thousand degrees outside today, not thirty-five as the weather reports said. That was a lie. An unholy lie and someone should be punished for it. Waving a notebook in front of his face as a fan, but it helped too little to matter.

"Hey, Yoh-kun." He breathed out, feeling as if he was about to faint sitting under the tree's shadow. His friend was busy fighting the heat. Literally fighting the heat. Waving his fists around like crazy, Manta had no idea what Yoh was trying to accomplish. But he wasn't going to say anything, his mouth was about to melt down. "Last night I thought I saw someone like you."

Yoh froze. From moving wildly as if he was under a bee's attack, he froze so hard he was putting icicicles to shame. Manta blinked at the sudden stillness and even Amidamaru showed up worried, perhaps he shouldn't have said anything? And in a moment, Yoh was clutching his shoulders tightly with both of his hands. "Where? Where did you see him? Are you sure?" He shook the spirit out of Manta to get his answer.

"N-near the docks." And one blink after he was gone with the wind. The small human and the Samurai spirit shared a strange look before following him. The human's short legs barely kept up with the shaman's running pace, he had never seen his usually carefree friend so worked up from just one phrase. Manta only thought he had seen someone similar looking to Yoh, he might have been terribly wrong.

The young shaman reached the docks in record time, gripping tightly the barrier. "Onii-chan!" He called out, his voice echoing into the area. "Onii-chan!" Certainly. Why hadn't he thought of that sooner? The real reason behind the heatwave. They haven't seen each other in over seven months and Yoh missed him terribly. He couldn't wait to tell his brother all about his new life here, friends, foes, and most of all of Amidamaru.

Sadly, his call remained unanswered. He received some weird looks from some sailor who heard him, but nothing more. He sighed and his shoulders slumped. It's summer. It's only natural that this period should have the highest temperatures of the year.

By the time Manta reached the docks, his friend was staring off in the distance at a ship disappearing from sight. He wasn't sure if he should give him some space or not, he seemed pretty bummed and in need of cheering. Manta tried his luck. "Yoh? Are you alright?" If that wasn't going to work, then he'd buy him a cheeseburger or a menu. Those always cheered him up.

After what felt like an eternity, the short guy believed his friend fell asleep again, the shaman replied. "I'm fine. I thought someone I deeply care about has returned." He closed his eyes and sighed, adding on a lower tone as an afterthought. "Should have known better. He never hides from me." For some reason, Yoh was very sad the person Manta thought he saw wasn't who he thought.

A silent accord took place between the Samurai and the human and they didn't ask the shaman again about it. Both of them were certain when Yoh will be ready to talk, he will tell them everything about this mysterious person and why he cares about him so much.

Later in the day, Tao Ren had challenged them to a fight. Well, not Manta. It was the first time being human helped him in a way. Yoh accepted only because he knew the other boy won't take no for an answer. Short pants and an even shorter temper, what was certain about Ren is that he had a big mouth and an even bigger dream and an even bigger grudge against the world.

Yoh turned to his spirit. "Amidamaru, I ask for your forgiveness ahead of the fight, but today I'm afraid I'll have to push us even further than our maximum." He was sure now. He could feel his brother's presence here, in the shadows. Watching from afar. Ready to step in if he believes it necessary. "I have a certain someone I would really like to impress."

Amidamaru nodded and complied. Together they put up a wonderful fight that ended with victory on their side, but with Tao Ren swearing revenge as well. Although, Yoh needed medical attention. He fought well, but not enough to dodge all the strong hits. Ren's spirit was very strong and determined. The wounds were not too serious, but not something worth ignoring either. A particular scary one happened nearly his heart.

Now, everything was alright and that was all that mattered.

Once Yoh had woken up, the three of them began to laugh and joke around relieved to know they were all fine and that together they made it. "Out of all the times I came here, literally all of them, this is the only time when I don't find you sleeping." Three heads turned to look at the source of the fourth voice. Manta saw a boy with long hair leaning on the doorway. He looked exactly like Yoh.

Amidamaru saw instead the brightest smile covering his master's face. "If you came about five minutes earlier, the story would have been different." He laughed despite the pain. He probably doesn't even feel it anymore. The Samurai thought to himself. Who is this person to make Master Yoh so happy only by his presence?

Manta had the same question and he voiced it out loud. "You know each other?" He asked glancing when at one when at the other, the only difference between them seemed to be the hair length. In rest, they were absolutely identical.

"Sure we do." Yoh grinned.

Hao smiled in return, muttering softly under his breath. "Tadaima."

"Welcome home Onii-chan."