Chapter Three
The other half
"Yoh!" cried the blond girl, her sharp voice echoing through the corridor. "I'm going shopping. Do you want something?"
Yoh shook his head, as he met her gaze, coming down the stairs. She sent him the closest thing resembling a smile she could make, and left. The young man let out a long sigh, as Anna disappeared, he could feel the presence take up the air, and weighed on him mockingly.
It was a spirit, as far as Yoh could tell, but unlike any other he ever encountered. A spirit, that was so powerful you could feel its aura from every direction, it took control of the air, the wood of the building, the small trees dancing in the breeze in the garden, even his own clothes, his skin, and his soul. Like it was so powerful, the very scene was too small to hold it. Yoh raised his head and sat down on the terrace, watching the snowy garden but in reality, he was looking to catch the identity of the presence.
"Amidamaru?" Yoh called, after many failed attempts.
Still nothing, the new guest was too strong to let him sense anything beyond itself,
anyways. Yoh signed again, and stood up. He walked to the kitchen nearby, and made himself a warm chocolate drink. He sat at the table the other side, so he could keep staring at the outside view. Until he noticed the other cup of drink, across the table. Yoh's eyes widened in shock. Then a faint noise hit his ear, the sound of mischievous giggles, in a deep male voice. Yoh looked behind him, around the corridor, as the laughter picked up in volume.
Then it stopped. Yoh turned back shortly after.
"Hmm, chocolate. How fitting for a chilly winter morning like this one." said same voice, this time, right in front of him.
Yoh fell back on the floor from the surprise. He stayed there for a while, thinking the minor distance will do him good, to check out the spirit. It was a terrifying figure, engulfed in faint, blood-red flames, wearing a torn white cape that led into deep red locks of long hair. The spirit had a white skin, white like porcelain… or the dead.
"Hao?" Yoh raised back into seated position, after he finally found his voice. "Is that you?"
The guest smiled, his face was warm and friendly, he even resembled Yoh just a bit older. His burning eyes stared sharp into Yoh's, as if looking right through him, or into the deepest pits of his soul. Then he closed his eyes and took a big gulp from his cup. He licked his lips, and frowned.
"You used too much sugar."
"How can spirits even drink? Said Yoh with wide eyes. "Or did you… find a new body, already?"
"Hhhmm? Oh this…" Hao looked at his tattered outfit and laughed. "Seems like I got a new spirit form. Might be a bit rough, because I still miss half of my soul. But I like the gloves." He laughed again and brushed through the metal knuckles above the star sign.
"What do you want here? Are you… the one behind Amidamaru's absence? Is this some scheme for revenge?" Said Yoh in a doubtful, tired manner. Hao returned to sip on his drink.
"Revenge is for foolish humans, little brother. I just came to say hi, since you already know I'm watching."
"I can see you dodge the subject, Hao. For whatever reason… just give me Amidamaru back."
Yoh crossed his arm and lent back. While Hao stretched the silence, slowly emptying his cup. Then he floated into standing position. He was tall, almost bigger than Yoh's dad, and he found himself intimated.
Might have been better, when he was disguised as a teenage kid. Yoh thought.
"Well, if you know me so well, then it should also be clear, you're not the one making terms here. Your little samurai will be back when the time arrives. Until then... "he smiled for the last time "be good." And vanished.
"Hao…?!"