Title: Hao O Wasurenai Kara; Because Hao Is Unforgettable (3/?)
Author: Kagaya Chou
Archive: Ask me.
Rating: PG-13
Pairing(s): Yoh(Hao) x Anna, Faust x Eliza (maybe more, maybe not)
So far, yes, it is becoming Yoh(Hao) x Anna. Love hate thing. I actually tried NOT to write them, but Anna... well, was being Anna. (shrugs) I was listening to the radio... No Doubt's "Underneath It All" made me laugh and think of her feelings for Yoh.
Faust x Eliza show up because they help and they're pretty and Faust would play with my insides and Eliza would stick a giant needle into me if I tried to separate them.
Warnings: Not ... yet.
Disclaimer: Shaman King was created by Hiroyuki Takei and now licensed by Viz. Obviously not mine; this fic wouldn't be in fanfiction.net if this was.
Comments: May 18, 2004 - I wanted to write Ryu into a story but he hasn't shown up so far because he doesn't help the plot. He's a cool character and if I find a use for him later on, then he'll show up too. Same goes for a bunch of other ones I'd love to use, but they don't fit in so far... I'm not trying to pair anyone up right now. I'm still getting a feel for what I'm writing.
So... Yoh x Amidamaru? ... well, I'm not opposed to the idea. Is it because Amidamaru's dead? Look at Eliza. Would you stop reading if I had a gay pairing later? A shaman x spirit or spirit x spirit one? What about incest? What about if I found a way to stop Yoh x Anna? Hey, what about Faust x Yoh?? What about.. (L) Enough, I'll stop teasing.
I find Amidamaru x Mosuke more likely than with Amidamaru x Yoh or Yoh x Amidamaru, but I don't see it happening some time soon because Mosuke's not necessary for the story (yet?). Heck, I find Ren x Bason more likely even, but that's because of Jun and Li Pailong. My baby sis even suggested Ren x Jun, Ren x Pailong, Ren x Horo Horo, Horo Horo x Anna, Horo Horo x Pirika, Choco Love x Pirika or Tamao... These could ALL work out with some thought, but I'm aiming for a plot, not a bunch of pairings. If things come or go, it'll all work out in the end, ne? Either way, thanks for reading through these comments even. I hope you like and continue to enjoy this story.
- - -
If Anna wondered why Manta came around less, she didn't say. Truthfully, she felt glad for the peace and quiet. Yoh's rowdy friends always made a mess when they came over and even though she made them clean up their own clutter, they annoyed her one way or another and then she'd hear Yoh laugh. Not at her. He'd just be talking with his friends, and then he'd eventually be laughing for some reason.
It upset her. Yoh always felt completely relaxed with his friends, who found it so easy to make him laugh and smile and... He had a smile for everybody, but Anna liked to hear Yoh's laughter and she didn't like the fact that she could never bring herself to laugh with him like his friends could. She also liked the silence between them though, which made her all the more irritable.
Lately, Yoh was very good to her. He didn't complain about her training as much, and his cooking was slowly improving. He was still the good-natured little pushover that she met a long time ago, and sometimes he did the most precious things to make her happy--not that she could admit it to him. That would be too embarrassing.
But as far as Yoh was concerned, there was nothing awkward about trying to make his fiancé her favorite lunch for school, offering a her massage when she was tired, or spontaneously trying to hold her hand when she looked downcast.
The first two seemed acceptable to Anna. She wasn't big on public displays of affection, but Yoh never let it bother him before. Even when he reached out for her hand, he did it at home for her sake, although it still got him a slap on the cheek. At least he succeeded in reminding her he cared.
She didn't understand why though. Why now, when he's starting to come home a little later, giving no good explanations, and when she couldn't see him without being reminded of that awful Hao?
At present, she had Yoh running laps around their very big house. It was for the sake of training, she said, and punishment for coming home late again. She'd rather do the dishes than watch him for too long, that's all. The image of Hao running around in shorts that she sewed for Yoh was a little too disconcerting.
Their place used to be a hot spring inn, which they planned to reopen when they were old enough to run a business, because Anna liked the idea of being boss lady. Yoh becoming Shaman King would not change a thing and both of them seemed to like it that way.
She just wished he'd cut his hair.
Anna knew she could order him to do it. It was a small thing really and he probably would cut it without a comment, but that was just it. Anna never liked stopping Yoh from what he'd set his heart to. She wanted to help him become Shaman King because that was what they both wanted. But this was different. This was all Yoh's decision, so as long as he doesn't let his hair get in the way of training, Anna was determined not to let the memory of Hao keep her from Yoh's side.
Well, she was working on it.
Meanwhile on the other side of the compound, Yoh was jogging along at steady pace and Amidamaru was floating next him, a worried look on the spirit's face.
"Yoh-dono, is it really worth it? Anna-san's seems to be having trouble adjusting."
Yoh nodded, his ponytail bobbing slightly, giving him something to focus on other than his aching feet. "It'll be all right."
Amidamaru chose to stay silent, reassured by his shaman's words, but not knowing what to make of Yoh's attitude. The change wasn't too big. Yoh used to be scared of his fiancé. Now, he seemed more confident around her--yet more preoccupied.
After a while, Yoh took a deep breath. "Everything disappeared after the Shaman Fights..." He glanced at the spirit as he spoke, but kept an eye on his path before continuing, "Everyone thinks I killed him, but Hao isn't... Hao isn't dead."
"But we chopped him in half, Yoh-dono. Hao couldn't have survived that."
"Yeah..." With a soft sigh, the boy slowed down to a halt, resting his hands on his knees, head down. "His body... is gone now, but I still feel him. Here..." He straightened and looked at his friend with a serene smile on his moonlit face, raising his left palm to his chest over his heart. "Hao's inside."
Amidamaru grew alarmed. "Yoh-dono!" Anna would flip if she heard, he was sure.
"Mada mada..." the boy put his hands up, ready to placate. "It's all right, Amidamaru. Hao and I shared one soul before we were born," Yoh tried to explain. "Just as he has the power to take me into himself, I can keep Hao safe."
The samurai wasn't sure he understood or that he heard correctly. "Keep Hao. Safe?"
"From the others." Yoh simply replied, "From himself."
Hao made a lot of enemies when he tried to save the world through genocide. There were nicer ways to put it, but Yoh couldn't fool himself if he tried. Hao wanted to make the world a better place to live, a pure world without humans and weak shamans, because he thought they weren't helping the world but destroying it. Yoh agreed some people hurt nature, but he also acknowledged that some people tried to preserve, restore and improve it too. People in general. Not just some shamans. Only Hao couldn't see that.
"But... why are you protecting him now?" Amidamaru asked.
"Hm..." Yoh blinked, then looked at the night sky. "We're family." It seemed the most obvious answer, yet it also seemed as though he hadn't really thought about why before. When he dealt Hao the final blow, something pushed at him and Yoh went with his instincts, pulled.
Yoh smiled when he found that he wasn't the only one stargazing in the evening. Their upstairs tenants, Faust VII and Eliza, were sitting on the rooftop side by side and hand in hand. The tall, blonde and handsome necromancer was pointing out some constellation to his gorgeous reanimated wife, who simply nodded, resting her head against his shoulder. They both had small smiles on their content faces. The Fausts were the most loving couple Yoh ever met, always so into each other, like they were in a world of their own.
"Soul mates." Yoh murmured.
"What is it, Yoh-dono?"
The boy smiled at his friend. "They're like soul mates: incomplete on their own, but they're so happy when they find each other..."
Amidamaru began wondering if that had any connection whatsoever to do with Hao when Yoh muttered, "I feel like I'm forgetting something."
The spirit thought about it. "I... believe you have 4 more laps around the house."
"Ack! Anna's gonna kill me!" Yoh started jogging again, looking like domesticated Hao about to cry. Of course, when Anna happened to glance in his direction him, she gave him another 5 laps for taking too long. Somewhere in between, Yoh grew impatient, pushed himself too hard and fell over with a cry.
"YOH-DONO!" The spirit's voice alerted everyone in and about the house.
"Amidamaru..." Yoh grew flustered at his friend's concern. "There's... no need to be so loud."
"I-I'm sorry." It spirit was somewhat self-conscious now. "I over-reacted again..."
Yoh chuckled, "It's okay." He tried to stand, but winced as a pain shot up his leg. "Whoa-"
"Yoh-dono!" Amidamaru caught the boy as he was about to fall again, swearing that the shaman was turning him into a big softy, never mind the fact that the samurai watched over a gang of orphaned kiddies when he was alive over half a century ago, too.
Yoh only tripped, but Faust and Eliza heard the noise. The husband picked his wife up in his arms and jumped down, helping her stand before kneeling in front of Yoh and Amidamaru.
Due to the many accidents Yoh sustained from Anna's training, "Is everything all right, Yoh-kun?" became Faust's typical greeting for the younger shaman ever since they started living together, replacing phrases such as 'good morning', 'good afternoon' and 'good night.'
As usual, Yoh responded, "Everything's all right, Faust," but added, "I think I twisted my ankle." In response, Faust wanted a better look. Before Yoh knew, Amidamaru sat down and pulled the boy in his lap, holding him still while the other two doctored him.
"Thanks, guys." Yoh leaned back, settling comfortably against Amidamaru's chest, feeling warm and safe. The sensation was oddly foreign yet familiar, like being cradled by a loving older brother, and looked after by surrogate parents.
Yoh had an easy grin on his face, but there was conflict in his eyes. Faust, Eliza, and Amidamaru were so nice, he thought, especially for caring enough to show it. And why do they care? What do they want? A part of him wanted to know what he ever did to deserve their kindness and consideration. His brow creased. They were friends. Care came with the package. They weren't being nice for extra benefits...
"Yoh-kun?" Faust stared at him attentively, pressing cool palms on the boy's forehead and his own. Yoh's temperature seemed fine, but he was spacing out in mid conversation. "Are you sure everything's all right?" It wouldn't do for the boy to get a concussion later and it was hard to tell just by trying to look at those dark eyes. At least Yoh didn't seem too different. Yoh was physically fit--just a bit on the thin side--and spiritually very strong. Eliza didn't seem to notice anything wrong either.
"Yeah. Sorry," Yoh chuckled, "I was thinking... how lucky I am to have you for friends."
"Yoh-dono..." Amidamaru didn't know what to say. Yoh's words and actions were always so touching, but after so long, it still managed to take the spirit by surprise.
After exchanging silent glances with his wife, the necromancer smoothed his hand down Yoh's hair affectionately, the corner of his eyes crinkling slightly as a heartfelt smile danced across his lips. "I think it's safe to say we all feel the same about you."
The boy smiled brightly, then Faust finally realized what was so different about the boy, "You've grown your hair out..."
Yoh didn't say anything at first. It had been a little over a month since he first decided to grow his hair longer. Faust hadn't noticed? Yoh looked from Faust to Eliza. The woman raised an eyebrow at her husband, but the smirk on her lips told Yoh she found Faust more endearing than anything.
Slowly, hopefully, the boy nodded, "Yeah. To keep Hao alive." He figured they would understand, and he was right.
"That's very nice, Yoh-kun," Faust's was sympathetic. "Does that mean you want to have hair as long as your brother's?"
Yoh shrugged, answering truthfully, "I haven't decided yet." He briefly thought about it. Hair would be very difficult to deal with at butt length. It amazed him how Eliza's always looked so good; her hair already grew past her knees.
Faust nodded, retracted his hand and stood, "Long hair can be so nice to manage..." His gaze turned to Eliza, who tenderly smiled back.
"Yoh." At the sound of his fianc's voice, a pleasant chill shot down Yoh's spine.
Anna was staring at them with more of a displeased look than the detached one she usually tried to go for, but only Yoh was able to tell the difference.
"Anna," Yoh smiled sheepishly. Here he was, chatting with Faust and Eliza while sitting on Amidamaru's lap, when he hadn't even finished running the last 2 laps. Yoh hoped she wasn't counting. "Sorry, I sprained my ankle," he said.
The others elaborated for him. Yoh was all right for the most part. He just worked himself too hard and they all knew it would do more damage than anything if he continued training without a break. A short rest and the boy would be back up to speed. No harm done.
Anna stayed silent at first then turned around. "It's late. I'm going to bed." When she disappeared into the house, Yoh laughed. She really loved him underneath it all.
Author: Kagaya Chou
Archive: Ask me.
Rating: PG-13
Pairing(s): Yoh(Hao) x Anna, Faust x Eliza (maybe more, maybe not)
So far, yes, it is becoming Yoh(Hao) x Anna. Love hate thing. I actually tried NOT to write them, but Anna... well, was being Anna. (shrugs) I was listening to the radio... No Doubt's "Underneath It All" made me laugh and think of her feelings for Yoh.
Faust x Eliza show up because they help and they're pretty and Faust would play with my insides and Eliza would stick a giant needle into me if I tried to separate them.
Warnings: Not ... yet.
Disclaimer: Shaman King was created by Hiroyuki Takei and now licensed by Viz. Obviously not mine; this fic wouldn't be in fanfiction.net if this was.
Comments: May 18, 2004 - I wanted to write Ryu into a story but he hasn't shown up so far because he doesn't help the plot. He's a cool character and if I find a use for him later on, then he'll show up too. Same goes for a bunch of other ones I'd love to use, but they don't fit in so far... I'm not trying to pair anyone up right now. I'm still getting a feel for what I'm writing.
So... Yoh x Amidamaru? ... well, I'm not opposed to the idea. Is it because Amidamaru's dead? Look at Eliza. Would you stop reading if I had a gay pairing later? A shaman x spirit or spirit x spirit one? What about incest? What about if I found a way to stop Yoh x Anna? Hey, what about Faust x Yoh?? What about.. (L) Enough, I'll stop teasing.
I find Amidamaru x Mosuke more likely than with Amidamaru x Yoh or Yoh x Amidamaru, but I don't see it happening some time soon because Mosuke's not necessary for the story (yet?). Heck, I find Ren x Bason more likely even, but that's because of Jun and Li Pailong. My baby sis even suggested Ren x Jun, Ren x Pailong, Ren x Horo Horo, Horo Horo x Anna, Horo Horo x Pirika, Choco Love x Pirika or Tamao... These could ALL work out with some thought, but I'm aiming for a plot, not a bunch of pairings. If things come or go, it'll all work out in the end, ne? Either way, thanks for reading through these comments even. I hope you like and continue to enjoy this story.
- - -
If Anna wondered why Manta came around less, she didn't say. Truthfully, she felt glad for the peace and quiet. Yoh's rowdy friends always made a mess when they came over and even though she made them clean up their own clutter, they annoyed her one way or another and then she'd hear Yoh laugh. Not at her. He'd just be talking with his friends, and then he'd eventually be laughing for some reason.
It upset her. Yoh always felt completely relaxed with his friends, who found it so easy to make him laugh and smile and... He had a smile for everybody, but Anna liked to hear Yoh's laughter and she didn't like the fact that she could never bring herself to laugh with him like his friends could. She also liked the silence between them though, which made her all the more irritable.
Lately, Yoh was very good to her. He didn't complain about her training as much, and his cooking was slowly improving. He was still the good-natured little pushover that she met a long time ago, and sometimes he did the most precious things to make her happy--not that she could admit it to him. That would be too embarrassing.
But as far as Yoh was concerned, there was nothing awkward about trying to make his fiancé her favorite lunch for school, offering a her massage when she was tired, or spontaneously trying to hold her hand when she looked downcast.
The first two seemed acceptable to Anna. She wasn't big on public displays of affection, but Yoh never let it bother him before. Even when he reached out for her hand, he did it at home for her sake, although it still got him a slap on the cheek. At least he succeeded in reminding her he cared.
She didn't understand why though. Why now, when he's starting to come home a little later, giving no good explanations, and when she couldn't see him without being reminded of that awful Hao?
At present, she had Yoh running laps around their very big house. It was for the sake of training, she said, and punishment for coming home late again. She'd rather do the dishes than watch him for too long, that's all. The image of Hao running around in shorts that she sewed for Yoh was a little too disconcerting.
Their place used to be a hot spring inn, which they planned to reopen when they were old enough to run a business, because Anna liked the idea of being boss lady. Yoh becoming Shaman King would not change a thing and both of them seemed to like it that way.
She just wished he'd cut his hair.
Anna knew she could order him to do it. It was a small thing really and he probably would cut it without a comment, but that was just it. Anna never liked stopping Yoh from what he'd set his heart to. She wanted to help him become Shaman King because that was what they both wanted. But this was different. This was all Yoh's decision, so as long as he doesn't let his hair get in the way of training, Anna was determined not to let the memory of Hao keep her from Yoh's side.
Well, she was working on it.
Meanwhile on the other side of the compound, Yoh was jogging along at steady pace and Amidamaru was floating next him, a worried look on the spirit's face.
"Yoh-dono, is it really worth it? Anna-san's seems to be having trouble adjusting."
Yoh nodded, his ponytail bobbing slightly, giving him something to focus on other than his aching feet. "It'll be all right."
Amidamaru chose to stay silent, reassured by his shaman's words, but not knowing what to make of Yoh's attitude. The change wasn't too big. Yoh used to be scared of his fiancé. Now, he seemed more confident around her--yet more preoccupied.
After a while, Yoh took a deep breath. "Everything disappeared after the Shaman Fights..." He glanced at the spirit as he spoke, but kept an eye on his path before continuing, "Everyone thinks I killed him, but Hao isn't... Hao isn't dead."
"But we chopped him in half, Yoh-dono. Hao couldn't have survived that."
"Yeah..." With a soft sigh, the boy slowed down to a halt, resting his hands on his knees, head down. "His body... is gone now, but I still feel him. Here..." He straightened and looked at his friend with a serene smile on his moonlit face, raising his left palm to his chest over his heart. "Hao's inside."
Amidamaru grew alarmed. "Yoh-dono!" Anna would flip if she heard, he was sure.
"Mada mada..." the boy put his hands up, ready to placate. "It's all right, Amidamaru. Hao and I shared one soul before we were born," Yoh tried to explain. "Just as he has the power to take me into himself, I can keep Hao safe."
The samurai wasn't sure he understood or that he heard correctly. "Keep Hao. Safe?"
"From the others." Yoh simply replied, "From himself."
Hao made a lot of enemies when he tried to save the world through genocide. There were nicer ways to put it, but Yoh couldn't fool himself if he tried. Hao wanted to make the world a better place to live, a pure world without humans and weak shamans, because he thought they weren't helping the world but destroying it. Yoh agreed some people hurt nature, but he also acknowledged that some people tried to preserve, restore and improve it too. People in general. Not just some shamans. Only Hao couldn't see that.
"But... why are you protecting him now?" Amidamaru asked.
"Hm..." Yoh blinked, then looked at the night sky. "We're family." It seemed the most obvious answer, yet it also seemed as though he hadn't really thought about why before. When he dealt Hao the final blow, something pushed at him and Yoh went with his instincts, pulled.
Yoh smiled when he found that he wasn't the only one stargazing in the evening. Their upstairs tenants, Faust VII and Eliza, were sitting on the rooftop side by side and hand in hand. The tall, blonde and handsome necromancer was pointing out some constellation to his gorgeous reanimated wife, who simply nodded, resting her head against his shoulder. They both had small smiles on their content faces. The Fausts were the most loving couple Yoh ever met, always so into each other, like they were in a world of their own.
"Soul mates." Yoh murmured.
"What is it, Yoh-dono?"
The boy smiled at his friend. "They're like soul mates: incomplete on their own, but they're so happy when they find each other..."
Amidamaru began wondering if that had any connection whatsoever to do with Hao when Yoh muttered, "I feel like I'm forgetting something."
The spirit thought about it. "I... believe you have 4 more laps around the house."
"Ack! Anna's gonna kill me!" Yoh started jogging again, looking like domesticated Hao about to cry. Of course, when Anna happened to glance in his direction him, she gave him another 5 laps for taking too long. Somewhere in between, Yoh grew impatient, pushed himself too hard and fell over with a cry.
"YOH-DONO!" The spirit's voice alerted everyone in and about the house.
"Amidamaru..." Yoh grew flustered at his friend's concern. "There's... no need to be so loud."
"I-I'm sorry." It spirit was somewhat self-conscious now. "I over-reacted again..."
Yoh chuckled, "It's okay." He tried to stand, but winced as a pain shot up his leg. "Whoa-"
"Yoh-dono!" Amidamaru caught the boy as he was about to fall again, swearing that the shaman was turning him into a big softy, never mind the fact that the samurai watched over a gang of orphaned kiddies when he was alive over half a century ago, too.
Yoh only tripped, but Faust and Eliza heard the noise. The husband picked his wife up in his arms and jumped down, helping her stand before kneeling in front of Yoh and Amidamaru.
Due to the many accidents Yoh sustained from Anna's training, "Is everything all right, Yoh-kun?" became Faust's typical greeting for the younger shaman ever since they started living together, replacing phrases such as 'good morning', 'good afternoon' and 'good night.'
As usual, Yoh responded, "Everything's all right, Faust," but added, "I think I twisted my ankle." In response, Faust wanted a better look. Before Yoh knew, Amidamaru sat down and pulled the boy in his lap, holding him still while the other two doctored him.
"Thanks, guys." Yoh leaned back, settling comfortably against Amidamaru's chest, feeling warm and safe. The sensation was oddly foreign yet familiar, like being cradled by a loving older brother, and looked after by surrogate parents.
Yoh had an easy grin on his face, but there was conflict in his eyes. Faust, Eliza, and Amidamaru were so nice, he thought, especially for caring enough to show it. And why do they care? What do they want? A part of him wanted to know what he ever did to deserve their kindness and consideration. His brow creased. They were friends. Care came with the package. They weren't being nice for extra benefits...
"Yoh-kun?" Faust stared at him attentively, pressing cool palms on the boy's forehead and his own. Yoh's temperature seemed fine, but he was spacing out in mid conversation. "Are you sure everything's all right?" It wouldn't do for the boy to get a concussion later and it was hard to tell just by trying to look at those dark eyes. At least Yoh didn't seem too different. Yoh was physically fit--just a bit on the thin side--and spiritually very strong. Eliza didn't seem to notice anything wrong either.
"Yeah. Sorry," Yoh chuckled, "I was thinking... how lucky I am to have you for friends."
"Yoh-dono..." Amidamaru didn't know what to say. Yoh's words and actions were always so touching, but after so long, it still managed to take the spirit by surprise.
After exchanging silent glances with his wife, the necromancer smoothed his hand down Yoh's hair affectionately, the corner of his eyes crinkling slightly as a heartfelt smile danced across his lips. "I think it's safe to say we all feel the same about you."
The boy smiled brightly, then Faust finally realized what was so different about the boy, "You've grown your hair out..."
Yoh didn't say anything at first. It had been a little over a month since he first decided to grow his hair longer. Faust hadn't noticed? Yoh looked from Faust to Eliza. The woman raised an eyebrow at her husband, but the smirk on her lips told Yoh she found Faust more endearing than anything.
Slowly, hopefully, the boy nodded, "Yeah. To keep Hao alive." He figured they would understand, and he was right.
"That's very nice, Yoh-kun," Faust's was sympathetic. "Does that mean you want to have hair as long as your brother's?"
Yoh shrugged, answering truthfully, "I haven't decided yet." He briefly thought about it. Hair would be very difficult to deal with at butt length. It amazed him how Eliza's always looked so good; her hair already grew past her knees.
Faust nodded, retracted his hand and stood, "Long hair can be so nice to manage..." His gaze turned to Eliza, who tenderly smiled back.
"Yoh." At the sound of his fianc's voice, a pleasant chill shot down Yoh's spine.
Anna was staring at them with more of a displeased look than the detached one she usually tried to go for, but only Yoh was able to tell the difference.
"Anna," Yoh smiled sheepishly. Here he was, chatting with Faust and Eliza while sitting on Amidamaru's lap, when he hadn't even finished running the last 2 laps. Yoh hoped she wasn't counting. "Sorry, I sprained my ankle," he said.
The others elaborated for him. Yoh was all right for the most part. He just worked himself too hard and they all knew it would do more damage than anything if he continued training without a break. A short rest and the boy would be back up to speed. No harm done.
Anna stayed silent at first then turned around. "It's late. I'm going to bed." When she disappeared into the house, Yoh laughed. She really loved him underneath it all.