"We're back!" said Ryu cheerfully as he and everyone else entered the mansion.

Pirika got out of her room. "Ms. Anna!!! Yoh!!!"

The itako smiled when she saw the overwhelming relief and happiness on the little girl's face. "Hello, Pirika," she greeted as Yoh assisted her in walking.

"I-I'm glad you're safe." Pirika turned to Yoh next. "I'm really sorry for what happened…"

Yoh grinned. "You didn't kidnap Anna, so why should I be mad at you?"

She nodded. "Thanks. It's just that, you were really upset when you found out that she disappeared."

Anna's eyes went to her bodyguard, who was laughing embarrassedly.

Pirika turned to Chocolove. "Hey, I cooked dinner already. Want to eat with me?"

"Wow! OK!" Chocolove giddily went to the kitchen, together with Ryu.

"No invitation for me?" asked Ren, his arms crossed smugly in front of his chest.

Pirika turned to Yoh. "You better come eat with us too. You must be really hungry now, with all those trainings and rescues and all."

The bodyguard grinned. "I'll just help Anna to her room, but I'll be downstairs soon."

"Hai!" With that, the girl turned to enter the dining room already.

Ren frowned. "Pirika?"

She didn't reply. He grumpily followed her into the dining room, where Chocolove and Ryu were already wolfing down the food. Manta watched them, sighing. He perked up though when he saw Pirika enter the room, followed by a scowling Ren. They both sat down and began to eat.

"Did you like the food?" asked Pirika cheerfully some minutes later to Chocolove.

"Well, you're good…" Choco's eyes suddenly turned pensive. "You remind me of my best friend…she's a horrible cook, but she tried to learn because I told her that her future husband would appreciate if she has at least some culinary skills. Now she's an even better cook than me."

"Wow, that's so sweet!" gushed the girl. Ren stabbed the meat on his plate, wishing it was a voodoo doll of Chocolove instead. He slapped himself mentally. What made him think that? Why was he suddenly mad at Chocolove?

He glanced at the animatedly chatting Pirika and Choco, and white-hot jealousy flooded within him. He turned his attention back at the meat, slicing it mercilessly with his bread knife.

"…so when I returned to the house, it was covered everywhere with flour, sugar, and smoke. I went to the kitchen and found Nyorai struggling with the oven. She told me that she wanted to surprise me with a birthday cake, but her cooking skills didn't cooperate. So I told her that the thought alone that she remembered a lowly servant's birthday is enough to make me happy. We cleaned the house together, baked a cake together, and I entertained her with birthday jokes," narrated Choco.

"Wow, so romantic!" gushed Pirika dreamily.

Ren got up suddenly, cluttering the silverware on the table. Everyone but Pirika looked at him, bewildered.

"I'm going to the bathroom," he muttered before leaving the dining room.

Manta looked at Pirika who was still nonchalantly gushing at Chocolove's narration. So this was her grand plan? Ignore and give Ren the silent treatment, combined with jealousy-inducing situations? He laughed to himself. Men may be intelligent but women remain to be the smartest creatures in the world.

Ryu patted Choco's back. "She must be really nice. Maybe you can introduce her to me sometime. I'm a nice man."

Choco laughed out loud. "Hah! I promised her mother that I would only give away her daughter to a man who's almost like me." He narrated to them that he was a stable master of Nyorai's family and the most trusted servant too. Her family died in an accident, and in the last will and testament read by the family lawyer, Nyorai was entrusted to his care.

"I promised on her mother's grave that I will only give her away to a man who can make her happy and will respect her the way I do."

"So why don't you marry her yourself?" asked Pirika.

Choco suddenly choked on his water. "I'm sorry?" he said weakly.

"Marry her, since it seems that you're the only man who fits those criteria you set, right?" asked the Ainu innocently.

"I-I can't do that…" The African suddenly turned red. "I-It's absurd. W-We may be the best of friends, but there still is a fact about the status of our life. She's an heiress, while I am but a servant. When she hears you…"

"You just told us what a good woman she is," said Ryu gently. "I don't think she'll ridicule you for that."

Manta smiled. "Do you love her, Chocolove?"

"H-Huh?" The boy looked down. "O-Of course. If not for her family, I would be living as a street rat now."

"I was asking if you love her, not her family," said the midget.

Choco laughed nervously. "Er…the chicken's good, Pirika."

The girl laughed. "OK, we'll stop asking."

Yoh was on his way down with Amidamaru when he met the grumpy Ren pick up his spear and head out towards the coltsfoot field.

"Ren, what's wrong?" asked the Asakura.

"Women! They're nothing but trouble!" groaned Ren.

Yoh rubbed his head. "What happened? Did you and Pirika have another fight again?"

"No."

"Then-"

"Exactly. We did not have a fight. She did not even talk to me, or answer back my vexing, or even glanced at me, or even acknowledged my presence. She acts as if I don't exist, and all she wants to talk to is Chocolove!" burst the Tao out. "Tell me, what does that Choco clown have that I don't?"

"Groovy hair style?" Yoh examined the pointed end of the angry boy's hair.

"Shut up!" Ren exhaled sharply. "I don't know what's wrong. Before we left, everything was so normal…she even slapped me."

Yoh sweatdropped. So slapping in this house was normal. Things had really changed since the day he started on his training with Shilva and Karimu. He then remembered Anna. So she was normal too. What will become of the abnormal ones then?

"So now, why is she acting that way?!!!" yelled Ren, interrupting his thoughts.

"Why is it affecting you so much anyway?" Yoh asked innocently. "You can have other people to talk to."

Ren froze. Why was it affecting him so much anyway? He picked his spear up. "I'm going to train. I am not affected by it."

"Er…"

"I don't care if she's weird," continued the Tao as he walked out of the house grumpily. "She could laugh at the corny jokes of that clown till her face is all full FOR ALL I CARE!!!"

Lyserg clenched his fists when he read the letter Jeanne left for him. He got up weakly and looked at the house. Everything was intact, but still, the house felt hollowly cold, empty…it was missing her presence badly already.

I came with Marco to gather the X-Laws again. As long as there are living members, we will not stop with our goal – extinguishing Asakura Hao.

The dowser picked up his coat. "I want to kill Hao too. I want to get Jeanne back." He put it over his shirt just as Morphine flew to his side. He smiled at the fairy. "I know. You miss her too. We'll get her back, don't worry."

He then remembered what Marco said – that he was a low-class shaman. He turned grim.

"I'll show you, Marco. I'll become stronger, just so I'll be worthy for her. Then I'll deal with Hao myself."

It was near evening already when Tamao, exhausted from going around the territory of Horo Horo's tribe and chatting with the people eager to know about their engagement, returned to her room. She lied down and looked at the glittering ring on her finger. Just then Horo entered the room, bringing a tray of fruits.

"Hey, Tamao! I picked some fruits for you while me and the boys were goofing around in the forest." He set it down by the bedside table. "What fruit do you want to eat first?"

"O-Oranges," she said slowly.

"OK!" He took the knife and began to peel an orange. "You better eat up, because we'll be up all night."

"Eh?"

He glanced at her. "Didn't they tell you? It's part of our customs to give a welcome celebration to people who visit our tribe." He turned to the kimono she was wearing. "I had Okaa-san sew you another kimono so you won't have to borrow Pirika's anymore. I'll bring it here later."

"Hai."

"You like looking at the ring, don't you?" he commented.

Her cheeks turned crimson. "G-Gomen."

"I knew you would say that," laughed the Ainu. He handed the orange to her, and she graciously took it. "Do you really like that ring?"

"Aah…"

"It's yours," he said simply.

"Iie…" She shook her head. "T-This ring is for your rightful wife. I-I cannot accept this."

He blinked.

"I can always buy another one," he said a minute later. "Anyway, I'm giving you that ring. Don't return that to me anymore, or I'll get mad," he kidded.

He then turned serious. "Tamao, I…I want to tell you something." He inched closer to her.

Just then, they both heard Horo's name being called. The Ainu sighed. "I'll tell you later." He waved at her. "Get dressed. In an hour, we'll have to go to the main square already."

"H-Hai." Her heart was still beating furiously as she vividly recalled how his eyes bored into hers awhile ago hypnotizingly.

She clasped her hand, face still warm. "Kami-sama, help me, but am I…am I falling for that boy?"

Pirika was clearing the dishes when she heard a throat being cleared. She turned around and saw Ren standing by the doorway, fresh from his training. Bason was hovering beside his master, wondering whether he should start on his one thousand eighth jumping jack.

She turned back to her work. She picked the plates up and began to wash them.

She felt him stand beside her, his eyes gazing at her intently. She pretended to ignore him, when her heart was beginning to race as if the dogs of Hades was chasing it.

Kami-sama, she vowed not to think about him, but why couldn't she stop herself from feeling this way?

His hand reached for the faucet and turned it off. "We need to talk."

She dried her hands with her apron. "I better get started on sweeping," she said to herself as she reached for the broom, but Ren agilely swiped it away from her hands.

"I will follow you anywhere, Pirika. I will annoy you, I won't stop bothering you. Now be a good girl and look at me," he said.

She was about to sidestep him when he grabbed her arm and pulled her to him so that they would be face to face. She refused still to make eye contact – they were cast on the floor.

"Why won't you talk to me?" he asked.

"Let me go," she hissed.

A smirk dawned on his face. "Good. You're starting to act sensibly." He lowered his face towards her. "Now if this doesn't start you talking, I'll be damned."

Her eyes panicked. She desperately struggled to free herself, but his arms were as strong as steel. She looked up at him angrily, but froze when she saw the hurt look in his eyes.

"Why, Pirika? What did I do?" he asked quietly.

"You've got some nerve to ask," she said furiously. "Why don't you ask yourself?"

"I don't know," he said helplessly.

"Oh…I know what you want," she said sarcastically. She turned to the door outside. "Is there a videocam stored here somewhere? Are you recording all of these so you and your friends can laugh at me, is that it?"

"Huh?"

"Wait…the confession. Of course!" Her eyes glistened with tears, breaking his heart. "Yes, I like you, Ren Tao. I have a crush on you. I'm infatuated with you!" She looked down. "There! It didn't take you three days to get that out! You won the bet! Happy?"

The bet? He vaguely remembered how his runaway mouth bragged to the others confidently that he could make her admit that she likes him. "Pirika…I'm so-" He stopped when he realized what he was about to say. Sorry? He had never used that word before, except perhaps to his sister, Jun Tao, and it wasn't easy. How could this girl then make it so easy and right to do?

"Mistress Pirika, young master Ren said that only to save me from the jumping jacks," said Bason.

"Shut up!" she screamed. "I don't ever want to see your face again, Ren Tao! Leave me alone!!!" She dashed back into her room, crying.

Ren clenched his fists, then aimed it at the tiled wall of the kitchen. It cracked with the impact of his punch.

"Master Ren…go after her. T-Try to talk to her. I-I'll explain too-"

"No," said Ren. "She told me to leave her alone. I will respect her wishes."

"But Master-"

"That's the least I could do," he said sadly. "For hurting her so badly."

"Master Ren…"

Yoh and Anna were looking out at the moon, seated on the roof of the house.

"Anna?"

"Hmm?"

"I'm just wondering…what if you never find the shaman king for a husband…what will you do then?"

She paused. "Let me see…I'll go back to our tribe and let my days pass there."

He sat up from his lying position. "Hey, I'll go with you."

"Huh?" She was taken aback by his unexpected answer.

He grinned boyishly. "I was just thinking that since I have nothing else to do in life, I'll just stay by your side…if you want to, that is."

She couldn't help but smile. "Oh?"

"We'll grow old together," he smiled.

Her eyes softened, then she turned to the moon again. "Sounds… plausible."

The two continued to gaze at the night sky quietly.

"Geez, Horo, you had too much wine!" scolded Tamao as she helped him up the stairs. "It was a good idea to pull you out of the party this early."

"Aw, but I was just starting to… have fun!" he complained. "And I'm a big boy now…fourteen…I can take it…bring on the wine!!!"

"No more wine for you, Horo Horo," she said, helping him lie down his bed.

"But I'm not yet… d-drunnnnnk!!!"

"Be quiet!" She eased the top buttons of his shirt and wiped his neck with moist towel. "When you wake up tomorrow, you'll get one heck of a hangover."

She wiped his face, but his hand stopped her. She paused, her heart beginning to race again. "Horo, i-is there something you need?"

He smiled impishly. "Love, Tamao. Lots of it."

Her cheeks flamed. "Horo, you're dead drunk and you know it!"

She gasped when he suddenly sat up, his hand caressing her face. "Ne, you're pretty when you blush…and prettier because you're blushing because of me," he murmured.

She swallowed difficultly. "Y-You are so incoherent," she tried to push him back to bed, but he smiled lazily at her, his hands on her shoulders.

"Am I?" he asked softly. His hands made their way up to her neck, then to her nape. His other hand smoothed her hair. "Have you ever been kissed?"

She looked away – at the ceiling, at the bright full moon outside the window, at the blanket…anywhere but at him. "Iie…" she whispered.

"Want to feel what it's like?"

She paused. "Horo…you're drunk," she said weakly when she felt his fingers tracing the delicate contours of her face lazily.

"Your… fault actually…," he grinned at her idly. "I can't stop thinking of you…I keep on dreaming of you…and I keep on hoping that I would see you wear that ring all the time…did you cast a spell on me or something?"

"I-I would never do that!" she said, shocked.

He laughed sexily. "Then I'm right…"

"Right in what way?"

"Tamao, I'm madly and hopelessly in love with you…" he murmured.

"Horo-"

His lips touched hers gently, beckoning them to respond.

They did, she did. With all her heart, with all the love she had for him.

His kiss grew deeper, sending her heart in a dizzying spin. She clung on to him as his kiss grew more passionate. Some time later, he slowly pulled away from her, his eyes shining, as he caught his breath. She was catching hers too.

"Horo Horo…"

"I love you."

Her eyes moistened. "I love you too."

He smiled and hugged her close to him before falling asleep.

She bit back her tears. She didn't care anymore if Horo said those things because he was drunk, and that tomorrow, he may forget about these already. She was grateful already for this night, for this one magical kiss. In one moment that she was finally able to tell him her feelings.

She snuggled against his arms comfortably.

Hao was humming to himself as Opacho watched him, fascinated. The prince was preparing his horse again.

"Where is Master Hao going?" asked the servant.

Hao smiled. "I'm visiting a sick friend."

"The one you told Opacho awhile ago?"

"The very same," he smiled at the midget. "If Mikihisa asks where I am, tell him that I'm out courting."

"Yes, Master." Opacho was amazed. Despite of his planning sessions in finding the Sacred Ground where the Great Spirit dwells, the prince had still time to do social calls.

He mounted on his horse, fixed his beggar's cloak and trotted off.

Tsuzuku

* thank u for the shi ni tai ne corrections, peeps!*

Pinoy Omake 4: Mankin Goes to Hunter x Hunter!

Disclaimer: all the HxH characters are owned by Yoshihiro Togashi (did I get the name right?)

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Shaman x Shaman (Tange! Nde yung hentai douji, manyak!)

- The Cast -

Yoh Asakura as Gon Freecs, na kasingboses nya sa dubbing

Ren Tao as Killua Zordick na talagang magkaboses as in! Pareho pang ideal father ang tatay nila (he he)

Lyserg Diethyl as Kurapika, ang isdang nde na fresh (clue: tingin sa mata)

Ryu of the Wooden Sword as Leorio, ang machong bakla

Faust VIII as Hisoka, ang Gon-obssessed strangely-dressed (naks, rhyming!) na nuknukan ng kaweirduhan. Hindi na daw cya mahilig sa skeletons…sa tong-its na lng daw.

Iron Maiden Jeanne as Neon Nostrad, isip batang boss na prinoptotektahan ni Kurapika

Hao Asakura as Pinuno ng Ginei Ryodan *comments withheld; labs yan ni Syaowee eh*

Mikihisa as Gon's daddy na mahilig maggala at maglamyerda kung saan-saan na kailangan pang sunduin ng anak kung saan mang lupalop. May nalalaman pang paiwan-iwan ng voice tape at Greed Island game.

Shilva as Master Wing na kamukha ni Boss Jay sa Let's Draw ng Funny Komiks

Anna Kyouyama as the Narrator, kasingpakialamero nung dun sa The Poor Prince, pero nde cya maireklamo ng cast. Ang galing kc nung 1080 beads nya eh…kaya pla cya ginawang secret character sa Spirit of Shamans.

Manta Oyamada as the Dakilang Extra (highest paid yan sa script ko) Minsan, isa cyang puno, minsan cya ay "others" dun s scene, minsan cya ay isang goon na bubugbugin ng mga leads para sa battle scenes. Pag malas tlaga cya, cya kunwari ang hangin. (w/ matching sound effects…-wooosh!)

Horo Horo as the tagabukas at tagasara ng kurtina pag may scene transition

Chocolove as the tagapalakpak pag walang natuwa sa inyo sa mga eksena dito.

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He he next chapter ang first act, folks. Wag bibitiw…baka mahulog ka. ^^