Pirika was stretching her arms outside the house when Ren approached her cautiously. "Hey," he began.

She instantly looked alert. "What do you want?"

He suddenly lost the words he had planned to tell her since last night – a formal apology. He looked at the ground, fists clenched. "I-I was just going to ask…where Tamao is. W-We don't have breakfast yet," he said instead.

"Oh." She relaxed, then looked out at the forest. "She and my brother left last night. I think it's related to the people chasing her." She smiled. "But I think Ryu knows how to cook as well. We won't starve."

"Y-Yes, I see."

Silence.

"Anything else?" she asked.

He shook his head. He was about to retreat back into the house when Mic arrived from the garden.

"Mic? What's wrong?" asked the girl when the animal pulled her boots towards the garden. "You want me to check something out there? Is Chocolove there?"

The jaguar only became more insistent, so she had no choice but to follow it. Ren followed them too.

Ren looked at Anna's leg, then shrugged. "We definitely need a doctor."

The itako rolled her eyes. "Doctors are just expensively-paid know-it-alls. This sprain will be alright with rest."

The Tao and the Ainu found Anna forcing herself to walk out of the garden that morning.

"Look, while Horo Horo isn't here, I'm the man of the house, and I'll do the decisions," said Ren. "And I say that you need a treatment."

"Typical male chauvinist pig," muttered the itako.

Pirika was pissed as well too. "Whoever gave you the right to make decisions here? I should be the one deciding here because I own the house."

"But the nearest clinic is below the mountains, right?" interrupted Manta. "And we can't use a helicopter – there is no landing area here but the coltsfoot field-"

"No, you guys stay away from the coltsfoots area!" said Pirika, fists clenched.

"Do you have another idea in transporting her?" asked the Tao, groaning.

"B-But not the coltsfoot," she protested, eyes welling up with tears.

Ren paused, then sighed. "Alright, alright. We'll find another vehicle. Helicopter is out of the options then."

"It's just a sprain," said Anna coolly.

"Maybe for you, but I don't want Yoh to think that I couldn't even handle his girlfriend."

She shrugged. "I am not his girlfriend."

"She's my wife!" said Chocolove proudly seconds before he was slammed on the head by Ren's spear.

"Where will this path take us?" Tamao asked as Horo assisted her in ascending the rocky path up to the mountains.

"I'm going to bring you to my hometown," replied the Ainu. "To my parents. I'm sure that you'll be safe there."

"To your hometown?" whispered the prophetess.

"Don't worry. My folks are not cannibals, the last time I checked with them. And in this place far from civilization, I'm sure the prince won't think of looking for you in there," he said, grinning.

Her eyes shook. "Thank you…for being so kind to me, Horo Horo."

He noticed her moist eyes. "Aaw, don't start crying again, Tamao. I hate seeing women cry."

"I…I'm sorry," she said, hastily wiping her tears away. "I'm crying tears of grateful joy."

"Do you really always do that?" he asked.

"Which one?"

"Apologize every other minute and cry with happiness?" he asked.

She nodded. "I know that all your life, you have been surrounded by strong women…your tribe must have strong female fighters, obvious with the spunk your sister has." She looked down. "Now you're seeing a weak woman in front of you. You must be disgusted."

"I am surprised," he said truthfully. "Not disgusted. Apologizing and crying are not signs of weakness, just…just humility." He looked on to the clearing. "Escaping from the Asakura court is no easy thing to do, but you succeeded. That's admirable guts."

She laughed softly. "You do wonders for my ego."

He gazed at her tenderly, making her heart race. "I meant every word I said."

"I wonder when will this rain ever let up," said Pirika, reaching out her hand outside the window to catch the raindrops.

Manta was working on his computer. "Perhaps tomorrow. According to the weather forecast website, the eye of the storm has passed the island already."

Just then, Ren appeared in the room, dressed in a raincoat.

"Going out?" asked Manta.

The Tao nodded. "I'll just fetch a doctor from Izumo. The itako won't budge, and there's no way in the world that I'll carry her all the way downtown."

"B-But the trek down the mountain is dangerous," protested Pirika. "It's muddy, and the ground might break loose and-" She stopped when she saw him smirk.

"I didn't know you care," he said.

Colors flooded her face. She quickly turned to the window. "I hope you fall down a cliff!"

"I won't; I don't want you to worry," he said vexingly.

"Conceited pig! I hate you!" She marched into her room grumpily.

Ren laughed quietly then sauntered outside the door.

Manta sighed. The people in this house sure have strange ways of expressing affections for each other.

"We're here!" announced Horo, pointing to the cluster of huts in the terraces.

Tamao's eyes widened in pleasant surprise. Everything was so beautiful – the chaotic sounds of the civilization were soundproofed by the godly mountains so that only the sounds of Nature could be heard. The air was fresh and relaxing, and the sight of lush green everywhere was delighting her senses.

"You'll have plenty of time to explore this paradise later." Horo picked up his snowboard. "Come here." She did. "Now you ride behind me on the snowboard," he instructed.

Her eyes widened. "R-Ride that…thing?" She looked fearfully at the board, thinking already of the accidents she would have if she falls down.

"If we go down the natural way, it'll take us days," he explained patiently. "If we ride my board, we'll be there in ten minutes."

"B-But what if I fall?"

"I'll have to fall first before you then," he promised.

She shut her eyes and stepped on the board. It slightly wiggled, causing her to throw her hands on his waist in fright.

Horo smiled and clasped her hands with his. "Good." He tested the balance of his board. "Tamao, you really should go on a diet."

Her cheeks flamed. "Iie!"

He laughed. "I was just kidding. Now hold on tight and prepare yourself for the best carnival ride of your life."

"D-Don't let me fall," she pleaded.

He glanced at her. "I won't."

"I think the water is boiling already," said Lyserg, pausing to wipe a sweat off his brow. "I should check on it."

Jeanne looked up from her gardening work. "I'll go check on it."

He smiled. "No, let me do it. The roses will miss you." He stood up from the table where he was going over his lessons. Somehow, studying with Jeanne around makes the act less tedious.

The girl nodded, then turned back to spraying water on the flowers. Ah, she didn't mind anymore if she wouldn't remember her past –she was happy already with the present, and perhaps the future, with Lyserg Diethyl.

"Mistress Jeanne?"

Her heart froze. That voice…

She looked up, and outside her fence stood the same blond man, now accompanied by several more white-clad men and women. They all bowed and knelt before her reverently.

"Come with us," said the man.

"I don't know you," she whispered.

"My name is Marco, and we are the X Laws. You are our leader, Mistress Jeanne." He held out his hand to her. "It is time to deliver justice and give Asakura Hao his long-due punishment."

She stepped back. "L-Lyserg…"

"Mistress Jeanne," whispered the man, stepping forward.

"Lyserg…"

Just then, the dowser appeared. "Jeanne!"

Her eyes lit up. "L-Lyserg!" She ran towards him and hid behind him.

Lyserg instantly brought his weapon out. "What do you want from Jeanne?"

"You have the audacity to call our reverend by her first name?" said Marco in shock. "You will pay dearly."

"If a battle is what you want, I shall give it," said the dowser. "Morphine!"

The fairy came out and fused with his dowser.

"A shaman too?" The man smiled condescendingly. "But not a very strong one." He called forth his angel.

Jeanne's eyes widened as memories flooded her mind. The iron maiden…the dying angels…the flame that nearly swallowed her. Asakura Hao.

"Stop!!!" she cried as white light engulfed all of them.

"Going home already, Master Yoh?" asked Shilva when Yoh picked up his harusame.

"Oh, stop calling me 'Master'. I'm not used to that," laughed the boy. "Call me the way you used to."

"Very well," sighed Shilva. "Yoh no baka."

Karimu cleared his throat. "Master Yoh, we cannot address you that way. You are the prince of the Asakura Court so…forgive us. We can't call you that."

"I see." Yoh stepped to the left, accidentally stepping on Karimu's coat.

"Oops."

"Hey, watch it, stupid Yoh!" yelled Karimu as Yoh and Shilva blinked.

"So why are you rushing home?" asked Shilva.

Anna. It was the first thought that entered his mind. He propped his elbows behind his head. "She'll kill me," he said, voice thoughtful as he lifted the itako beads from his neck and looked at it.

"She gave you a week to return that."

"I want to see her already," he said candidly.

"Alright." Shilva handed him a book. "Later, you and Anna must go through this book. This used to belong to your brother a thousand years ago, and this can help you improve your use of furyoku."

"OK," said Yoh, putting the book into his coat.

"Now go home," said Shilva. "We'll have to report to your grandmother."

"I wonder what my grandma looks like," said Yoh.

Karimu snickered, but Shilva kicked the priest's shins. "Your grandmother is a very spirited woman."

"Very," said Karimu.

"I'm sure you two would meet soon. You'll meet your father too, and your grandpa."

"A family…" Yoh smiled warmly. "I never thought I had one, then all of a sudden, I already have one. Wow."

"How I wish your brother would be as thrilled as you when you two meet up," sighed Karimu. Shilva nudged him.

"You think Anna will believe me if I tell her my identity?" asked Yoh, grinning. "You think I can apply for her shaman husband ad?"

Shilva and Karimu looked at each other, then burst out laughing.

The boy was puzzled. "What's so funny?"

"I think it's best that we don't comment," said Shilva. "But why would you want to be her husband?"

Yoh shrugged. "Because…because I'm not sure if her husband will treat her properly. I…I don't want her to get hurt or something…"

"Anna getting hurt, and I thought I've heard the worst," said a familiar voice. Ren came out from the bushes, smirking. "So this is where you have been hiding."

"Hai!"

Ren shrugged. "You don't look anything like a product of an intense shaman training by former Asakura court priests."

"You…you've heard our conversation?"

"Yep. So the bum is a prince after all," said Ren. "Now more than ever, I'm determined to defeat you, Yoh Asakura."

The boy grinned. "Sure! But for the meantime, I want to go home. I want to show Anna what I learned."

"No," said Ren. "Show me first." Ren took out his spear.

Shilva sighed. "His spirit is not here."

"Oh. Well, in that case…" Ren lowered his weapon. "Damn. You went on a shaman training without your power spirit?"

"I want someone to look after Anna aside from you," said Yoh.

"Ah wait, I remember. I still have to go downtown."

"Why?"

"I have to fetch a doctor." Quickly, Ren told him about the itako's accident.

"Gee, I never thought of Anna as clumsy." Yoh waved to the priests. "Now, I really want to go home. See you around, Shilva, Karimu!"

"Take care, Master!"

Ren continued down to the mountains while Yoh hastened his pace. He had to check on Anna already.

However, he didn't notice a branch obstructing his path. It caught the itako beads, making the strings come undone. His eyes widened as the beads fell down piece by piece on the muddy ground.

"That," he muttered, "was stupid." He had no choice but to go down on all fours and find the beads one by one.

"One, two, three, five, eight, eleven…" He started to pick up the beads, all the while wondering whether Anna had kept count of just how many beads were there in her prayer necklace.

"What's taking the doctor so long?" asked Manta.

"Here, Ms. Anna. Let me cheer you up with a joke-"

Anna sighed. "Count yourself fortunate that I do not have my itako beads with me, or you could have been strangled already."

Pirika looked out at the window. "The house feels so empty. I wonder what he is doing now."

Just then, they heard a knock on the door.

"That must be him already!" cried Pirika happily.

"Him who? Ren or Horo Horo?" asked Manta, smiling.

"Manta!" cried the Ainu before heading out of the room.

"Pasta?" asked Choco.

Everyone sweatdropped.

Just then, Pirika came in, pulling someone into the room. "Hey, I think this is the doctor Ren got for us!"

Anna frowned. She didn't like the man standing before them.

Amidamaru appeared beside his master's lady. "Ms. Anna, be careful. I smell his scent of death."

The blond, laidback-looking man smiled. "That's right. I'm a doctor. My name is Faust VIII." His eyes, however, were focused on the patient.

The lovely golden hair, the soft-looking skin…

He knelt beside her. "You sprained your muscles?"

"You are the doctor. You should know," she said coolly.

He laughed slowly. "Of course."

Manta, on the other hand, was starting to get scared of the man. There was something about the person that wasn't quite right.

"Give me a minute while I make the medicine." Faust brought out a syringe from his white lab coat. He turned his back on them…

…only to face them, on his arm hung a skeleton.

"Eliza, I found you a new body," said Faust, grinning evilly.

Chocolove got ready to attack, but skeletons suddenly appeared from beneath him and forced him down. Manta was also knocked down by a skeleton. Amidamaru was fighting with Eliza.

Ryu suddenly entered the house, alerted by the sounds. He found a blond stranger inject something to Anna, making the latter lose consciousness. "Hey you!" yelled the Wooden Sword. "What are you doing to Ms.-" He yelled when skeletons grabbed him too.

Faust smiled. "The land where this mansion was built used to be a killing field for samurai turncoats, thus giving me a lot of playthings." He carried Anna on his shoulder and smiled. "I now have my wife. Thank you, friends," he said to the skeletons before walking away triumphantly.

"Ms. Anna!!!" yelled Amidamaru. Eliza seized his moment of distraction and knocked him cold. Satisfied, the power spirit followed Faust outside.

Yoh picked up the last bead, relieved. Now if he could only string them together, Anna wouldn't even know a thing…

He froze when he felt something – a flash of intuition that something went terribly wrong.

 "Anna…" he whispered. He looked out at the path ahead of him, then dashed madly for Horo Horo's mansion.

He found Pirika crying in the corner, trying to wake Manta and the others up. "Pirika?" he called.

The girl looked up, then her eyes welled up with tears. "Yoh…he took her."

He froze. "Who…who took her?"

"H-His name is Faust VIII…the one with skeletons…" Her voice broke. "I'm sorry…it was my fault…"

Wasting no time, Yoh ran out of the house. "Anna!!!!" He scoured the ground for fresh tracks. He found one, and he quickly followed it.

Ren arrived, annoyed. He had no choice but to take the itako downtown. No doctor wanted to go up just to treat a sprain. He arrived home, expecting it to be boisterously loud with everyone else talking at once, but instead, he found Manta, Ryu and Chocolove lying on the floor, sleeping. Beside them was Pirika, looking at the space blankly.

He went to her. "What's wrong?"

She blinked, then looked down. "I-It was my fault," she said in a broken voice.

"You can't mean to say you wrestled with all of them," he said, smiling.

She didn't react. He knew it was serious. "Where's Anna?"

"The bad man took her…it was all my fault," she said, voice shaking. She tucked her knees. "I shouldn't have answered the door. This wouldn't have happened then."

Ren, more or less, figured out what happened. He sat down beside her. "It was the bad man's fault," he said gently. "Whether you answer the door or not, he would still find a way to get Anna, so stop blaming yourself."

She paused, a tear streaking down her cheek. "Ren…"

Perhaps, it was her vulnerability, or that for the first time, she called him by his name only. Perhaps, it was her tears. He didn't know. But he was hugging the sobbing girl already close to him, comforting her quietly.

"Cry all your tears out, so you won't cry anymore," he said.

"I'm such an idiot," she said, sobbing.

"Yes, but so what? Sometimes, I'm an idiot too," he said. "Just don't worry. Everything will work itself out."

She looked up at him, smiling a little. "Y-You admit you're an idiot?"

He nodded. "Sometimes, and mostly, it's because of you."

"B-Because of me?"

"Yep. Now shut up and don't ask me to elaborate anymore." He rocked her slowly, caringly, gently, lulling her to sleep.

She laid her head on his arms, and he hugged her close, feeling sleepy too.

Tsuzuku

Someone asked me for an omake translation. I'll do that next chapter. ^^