Chapter Six

Stuck

The train ride back home was utterly short. Even so, Yoh sat tensely, looking straight at the sky passing by, causing him to have an aching pain in the neck once there. He dragged his legs ever so slowly, to the extent Anna did not notice, or didn't seem to care.

They walked across the gate in complete silence, as if they weren't really there, as if they could slip inside without Hao's notice.

"Took you long enough." A man's voice stopped them.

"Mom. Dad?!" Yoh dropped his backpack. "H-How did yo–"

"Granny. She said it was very important, we hurried as much as we could." Mikihisa said as he crossed his arms.

"I looked around the entire region," Keiko continued "there is definitely a certain… entity around, but it only faintly."

"What? Do you mean… Hao has left? Because we left too?" Anna's eyes shone up.

"I doubt that. Unfortunately for us, Hao has quite the patience. He's gonna be back soon. We should use the precious time to prepare a summoning ritual."

Keiko walked them inside hastily.

"Can you help me, Anna? We must hurry. By gods, I can tell he's harassing innocent non-shamans at this very moment." Anna nodded, and changed clothes.

A couple of hours later, it was getting dark. The candles and charms put around the big guest room were blowing in the slow wind in a frightened, sinister dance. The Asakuras were sitting in a half circle behind Keiko, who was in deep concentration. Yoh could feel his skin burning next to the candles, his throat was so dry it was painful to swallow. He was just about to get out for a break from the pressure.

"He's here!" Keiko snapped out of her trance and jumped to her feet with the same momentum. "Do it now!"

Yoh crawled back from the sudden light that filled the room. The candles all turned into giant, blue flames, entrapping a dark misty figure. He could hear Hao's angry growl, and looking up his burning eyes immediately pierced into his.

"Don't struggle! It's no use." Said Keiko as the flames vanished, leaving behind a purple colored circle, that sparkled around his ghost-body.

"We know about your weakness. You will only hurt yourself if you try to break it."

"Oh really?" He levitated closer to Keiko. "What's this care all of a sudden, last time you had no concern for killing your sons."

Keiko hissed.

"I see, you went to get the entire family." He said sarcastically while looking at Yoh. "It is lovely how close you get, when it comes to picking an enemy."

"You're still mad about the little scar Yoh gave you?" Mikihisa pointed at his chest, where the deadly mark was supposed to be.

"So small." Hao sighed and made some distance. "I've been a ghost longer than living, I'm quite used to it."

"It is high time you rest in peace." Mikihisa said, while his guardian spirits showed up both on his sides. "But before that, tell us where Amidamaru is."

"Is this a threat?" He chukled. "Or a death wish. Sure, I can help you to join him."

"We'll see…!" Mikihisa took his attack stance.

But just before he could make a move, Yoh dashed between them.

"Yoh!"

"What are you doing?"

"It is useless. We… will only make it worse." He said with a hollow voice, while keeping a determined gaze on his parents.

"We'll find another way." He stepped out, just before Hao's hand could reach him.

"Y-Yoh!" Anna started running after him. "Wait. Wait already, what's going on?"

Yoh kept walking for a while, as if he could get away, or at least, into the comfort of his own room. He brushed his forehead and leant on the windowsill. Only the did he turn around to face the confused Anna standing on the doorstep.

"He would've hurt them." He sighed. "I don't have Amidamaru, I cannot interfere. I don't want anyone getting hurt."

"Are you sure this is it?" She stepped closer and gave him a harsh look. "Are you… feeling bad to see him again? Are you feeling… regretful?"

"What? Uhehe, where did you get that idea from?"

"Yoh. You're a terrible liar. Besides, I know you well enough."

Yoh's vague smile disappeared, and he dropped his head. He took a minute of silence, not to gather thoughts, more to cope with them.

"I did what I needed to do."

"But does it bother you?"

"I was forced to betray my principles. I can't help but wonder… if it's similar how… Hao started out…"

"Yoh!" Anna's slap echoed thru the corridors. All the way to the parents. "Don't talk nonsense. It had nothing to do with your beliefs. Besides, you did everything to avoid it. It was Hao's fault, he left you no choice."

"It doesn't matter. In the end… to live in a world where one brother needs to slay his own, just sickens me."

"But-"

"Don't force me again. Anna. Tell my parents to wait. Leave it to me to sort this out the right way this time."