Disclaimer: Shaman King belongs to its creators. The piece of fanfiction is exactly what it is: fanfiction. Blah blah yea yea.
Note:
All that is going to be written there forth are events leading to the prologue.
Hope I won't confuse anyone with my epilogue-ish prologue.
Setting: 12 years after the anime. Futuristic, everything happens for a reason.
IMPORTANT CREDITS to Apple-chan: Jeanne the nun-in-training turned missionary, taken from her ficcies. Gomen ne, for forgetting to credit!!
For dear Apple-chan, my source of inspiration for this fic, and my Hao.
Pieces Of Heart
written by: da*mouse ®
Chapter 2: Why Can't You See?
Lyserg stomped out of the café, steam virtually rising from his head. His fists were clenched, and he would love to hit something right now, preferably Asakura Hao.
Just when he thought he was rid of the bastard forever, he showed up, right in front of his face. Yoh had told him that Hao would remove himself from presence whenever Lyserg was in at Funbari Onsen, although his visits to Tokyo weren't often, he visited once a year or so. Initially, he was furious, thinking that Hao was perhaps up to something, mocking him, or whatever the reasons were. But then Yoh pointed out that it was to avoid any conflict. After all, between all of Yoh's friends and comrades, Lyserg was the only one with a personal vengeance against Hao; the rest of them got along with Hao just fine, although not without a degree of wariness. He grudgingly gave way to tolerance, and forced the thoughts of his parents' murderer out of his mind, because Hao, in all, was Yoh's brother, and the Shaman King seemed to respect him, although God knew why.
Lyserg's face burned as he thought about the long-haired shaman, and his parting words.
"Jeanne-sama, I'll see you again soon, too, I presume."
Was the jerk actually hitting on Jeanne? His eyes darkened. Let hell be frozen over before he would let Hao even get near to Jeanne, much less to touch her.
So frustrated was he, he viciously kicked a coke bottle lying in the gutter, and let out a yell. Jeanne, on her part, looked at her old friend worriedly. Turning to Marco, she attempted a weak smile.
"Marco, will you head back to the church first, please? Tell Mother Mathilde that I'm sorry, but I have to cancel our appointment today."
Marco looked aghast. "Jeanne-sama! You can't just simply…"
"I think Mother Mathilde will understand." Jeanne interrupted smoothly, giving Marco a look that told him not to argue anymore.
Marco gave a resigned sign, pushing his glasses up to the bridge of his nose. "Very well." He bowed to Jeanne, and left, heading for the church.
Jeanne turned to Lyserg, who was frowning darkly. "Do you want to get a cup of coffee somewhere?" she asked quietly.
"No."
If not for the circumstances, Jeanne would've laughed. Lyserg was acting like a pouting kid. "So fine. We'll talk here."
"Not in such close vicinity of him. Let's go somewhere else." He said abruptly, before stalking off. Jeanne sighed, and hurried to catch up with him. For now, it was perhaps the best that Lyserg was left to stew in his anger. She could only be there with him, and for him, until he was ready to talk. It was all she could do, really.
-
Back in the café, Hao still sat, somewhat stunned by the unexpected events. He certainly didn't expect to run into the green-haired dowser here in London. If he had been given a choice, he would choose not to run into him, ever.
It was strange for Hao the Destroyer to feel guilt, but that was what he was feeling right now, guilt. From Yoh, he understood a little of the extent of Lyserg's pain, which was the reason he tactfully disappeared from Funbari Onsen whenever he knew that Lyserg would be visiting.
Hao sighed. He was different now. He saw things differently, and through the eyes of Yoh, understood a whole lot more about the world than he initially did. However, he supposed that no one would really trust him, after all he did.
Ren, HoroHoro and the rest of the gang treated him cordially enough, just because he was Yoh's twin, but he knew, that they didn't trust him.
And I couldn't blame them, actually, he thought, not without a touch of bitterness. But Yoh believed him, Yoh accepted him as part of the family, he supposed that that was enough.
Hao sighed. C'est la vie, that was life, he supposed. He found himself living a lot with the c'est la vie philosophy lately. Must be rubbing off Yoh's laidback attitude. He chuckled to himself. Not that it was a bad thing.
He lit a cigarette, grateful that Anna wasn't around to deliver one of her slaps to him for polluting the air. He really needed a smoke at present moment. Thinking always stressed him out, which was why most of the time, he never bothered to think much.
Which was probably why he smoked so much, too.
Thinking about Lyserg led him to think about his companion. Not that irritating little blondie, of course, but rather, the sliver-blue haired young lady. It had been such a long time since he saw her, and she had grown.
Although he never admitted to anyone, and it certainly took him sometime to admit that even to himself, he was fascinated by the Iron Maiden, ever since the first moment he saw her, the 8-year-old her and the then 13-year-old him. He found it very amusing, that she, a little girl, could swore to destroy him. Him, Asakura Hao. He was intrigued, definitely. People bigger and a lot stronger than her bent themselves to his will, and she hoped to kill him? It was ludicrous.
But as time passed, as they engaged themselves fully in battle during the Shaman Fight, he saw her reason for being confident: she was good. Much better than he had expected. And her team of X-Laws, although led by the silly little blondie, was, in actuality, all decent enough fighters.
Of course, they weren't good enough to defeat him, and his anger saw the demise of more than one member. However, he found himself unable to want to kill Jeanne, and stopped his minions from doing so.
It was admittedly the first time that Asakura Hao had let someone who had wanted to kill him, lived on. Of course, his main target for that time had been Yoh, but it wouldn't have taken him more than 2 seconds to kill her. And yet, he didn't.
He had wondered about that.
They met again 4 years later, the time he would soon suffer yet another defeat by his twin, but at the same time, regain his humanity. She didn't fight him then, nor did she express the want to kill him.
What they had…was merely an encounter.
*Flashback*
Asakura Hao was sitting by his campfire, nonchalantly chomping on a few pieces of biscuit, when his whole body tensed. He could immediately sense the change of around him. Someone was there with him, he wasn't alone.
Sighing, he tossed the biscuit into the fire. "You can come out now." He called, his voice bored. "And I might spare you your menial little life."
A small rustle, and he heard light footsteps. He smiled amusedly, knowing who it was without even turning around.
"Jeanne-sama." He said, his voice sardonic and sarcastic. "To whom I owe the pleasure and honor to?"
"Hao the Destroyer." She said, her voice serious.
He turned around then, a mocking smile on his lips. "Pardon me if I don't bow, Jeanne-sama." The 12-year-old girl standing before him wasn't much different from the little 8-year-old 4 years ago. But as usual, her voice and eyes belied maturity beyond her years. He turned his back on her one more, and picked out another biscuit.
"Why can't you see?" She said, her voice sad.
"Because I'm blind." He said shortly. Raising an eyebrow, he asked, "What do you want? To tell me I can't see?"
"Tomorrow you will fight Asakura Yoh."
Hao's eyes darkened considerably. He didn't say anything, but his clenched fists indicated his anger.
"You won't win, Asakura Hao."
His rage exploded then, with the suddenness of a volatile volcano. He snapped his fingers, and his Spirit of Fire loomed, towering over the young girl. His sprit howled loudly, ringing with the resonance of Hao's anger.
But Jeanne barely flinched.
"Don't…" He said, his voice low. "EVER tell me that."
"Asakura Hao, why can't you see?" she repeated. "He…is your brother. Your other half."
"He shouldn't even been born!"
"There is a reason why you are twins." Jeanne said calmly, showing no response whatsoever to Hao's fury. "God made you twins, He has his reasons. You won't kill him. You can't."
Hao jumped down from the palm of the Sprit of Fire, standing face-to-face to Jeanne. He bought his face down to hers, his smile tinted with malice and anger. "Take your preaching somewhere else, Jeanne-sama. I'm not interested, I'm afraid."
"Like the rest of us…" she said softly. "…you're only just human. You're not invincible. Asakura Yoh proved that 4 years ago, and he would prove it again tomorrow."
The Spirit of Fire roared as she spoke. "I could kill you now." Hao said, his voice dangerous, raising his hand. And indeed he wanted to. He didn't want to hear her words anymore, words that rang the awful, hollow sound of truth. With one swift stroke of his hand, he knew that he could end her life.
But somehow, looking at those determined ruby-red eyes, he couldn't. And he didn't know why.
"I know." She said simply.
"Then why are you still here?" He wasn't curious, he told himself. He just wanted to know the reason for her absolute foolishness.
"We are all the children of God." She said, by the way of a reply. "He wouldn't want to see us killing each other for reasons even unknown to ourselves."
Hao scowled. "I know exactly what I am doing. I don't need you, or your GOD…" he made sure that his sarcastic emphasis did not go unnoticed. "…to tell me what to do."
"If you understand, you wouldn't fight your brother tomorrow." Jeanne said quietly. "I want to help you to understand."
Hao looked at her then, and began laughing scornfully. "You, helping me? What happened, Jeanne-sama? The last I heard, you're bent on killing me and purifying the world with your little X-Laws."
"I would still want to." She admitted. "But if there's a way to avoid bloodshed, I chose that way. If you repented, I don't need to kill you."
"There's no way." Hao's voice was low, tinged with danger. He then turned his back on her, fastening his cloak, and distinguishing his fire with a snap of fingers. He began walking away from Jeanne. "I'm saving my energy tomorrow, considered yourself lucky for another day. Once I am the Shaman King, I'll make sure you start preaching somewhere else far far away from me. Hell, perhaps."
"Asakura Hao!" she called. "There's good in everyone!"
He stopped then, disbelievingly. There's good in everyone…bitterness clouded him, all of a sudden. An amused chuckle, tinged with resentment escape his lips. "Except me, I'm afraid."
*End of Flashback*
She was right, of course. He lost to Yoh, but he was not bitter about it. His twin was a much better Shaman King than he could ever be. During the final minutes of the battle, during a time when he had the upper hand, when he could kill Yoh with one single stroke, Jeanne's words flitted through his mind.
There's good in everyone.
He hesitated.
That was all the opportunity his twin needed, the moment of hesitation. With one powerful move, Yoh moved away from the Spirit of Fire, and Amidamaru powered, and using almost all of his furyoku, Yoh attacked.
Hao's Oversoul broke, and he found himself on the ground, with Yoh's sword at his chest, above his chest.
And Yoh withdrew his sword, and gave that infectious grin.
And Hao understood.
There's good in everyone.
Jeanne was right. There was good in everyone. Especially in Yoh. And even him.
He saw her among the crowds, the ruby eyes and silver-blue hair. For a moment before he collapsed with exhaustion, her name formed on his lips, Jeanne, and he could see a faint smile on her face.
Since, he had thought about her, now and then. Jeanne, who sought him out, and who believed there was good in everyone. Jeanne, whom he never saw again.
Until just a few moments ago, she was standing in front of him, in flesh. Jeanne, so very lovely.
Hao relit his cigarette, his fifth for the day, and reminded himself to get a good strong cup of coffee to get rid of the smoky taste before he had dinner with Yoh and Anna. He certainly wasn't cut out for a lecture from the former and a slap from the latter.
As he signaled the waiter, his own words echoed in his head.
I'll see you again soon, too, I presume.
Yes, he did want to see her again. And soon.
-
The two were sitting on a bench overlooking River Thames, both with take-away Starbucks coffee cups. So far, not a single word had been exchanged.
Lyserg stared gloomily at his latte. Jeanne was sipping her hot chocolate with small careful sips.
"Why did you stop me just now?" Lyserg broke the silence.
"Why would you want to cause a scene in a public place?" Jeanne countered.
"I could just kill him." He growled.
"No, you couldn't, and you shouldn't." Her voice was calm.
"I hate him."
"Don't."
"He killed my parents." Lyserg's voice was tight with anger.
"That was 18 years ago." Jeanne said.
"WHY the HELL are you trying to defend him?!" Lyserg shouted, finally losing control of his temper.
"I'm not trying to defend or justify his actions," Jeanne grabbed Lyserg's arm. "I'm trying to make you forget the coldness of revenge. Don't you see? Even if you kill him, it won't bring your parents back. And what if you don't succeed? Is it worth it? Is it? Yes, I know you're hurting, and I know maybe it won't ever stop hurting. But would your parents want to see you this way? Think about it, Lyserg!"
His anger suddenly gave way to extreme weariness as Jeanne's words hit home, and the young man sank down on the bench, his head in his hands.
"The power of forgiveness, Lyserg." Jeanne said quietly. "Don't stoop to his level by seeking revenge. Seek inner peace within yourself. Be at peace with yourself. Asakura Hao shouldn't count for anything. He has repented."
"That doesn't make up for what he did!" Lyserg bit out bitterly.
"It did." Jeanne said softly. "He saw the error of his ways, and he changed. That was all the Lord asked from him. He couldn't undo what he did. There was no way he could. And if he could, he certainly would."
"How would you know?"
"Because he was no longer Hao the Destroyer. Lyserg…" Jeanne took the green-haired man's hand in hers. "…I'm not asking you to be his best friend. But for your sake, let it go. You should."
Lyserg sighed, his thumb moving across Jeanne's hand. "It's not easy."
"At least you are trying."
Moving closer, he pulled her into a hug. "Thank you, Jeanne."
Reassuringly, she pat his back. "I'm always here for you. That's what friends are for."
He pulled back suddenly then, almost pushing her away from him. She frowned. "What's wrong?"
He began buttoning his overcoat. "Friends?"
She was confused. "Of course."
Lyserg turned to her then, his smile bitter. "Just friends?"
A puzzled frown knitted Jeanne's brow. "Lyserg, what's wrong?" she repeated.
"Why can't you see?"
"See what?"
He had kept it hidden for so long, and he didn't know what compelled him to tell. He didn't know what made him said the words he said. Maybe it had been pent up for far too long, and maybe it was the mixed, churning emotions inside of him because of what happened today, maybe it was Hao, maybe he was just losing his mind at that moment, but whatever the reason was, he said the words that he feared most of regretting.
"That I love you."
-to be continued-
da*mouse ®
posted October 12th 2003
12.31 a.m.
Yeah, weird mouse. Sorry for any discontinuity in the anime, I know Jeanne and Hao didn't exactly encounter each other face to face, but let's pretend they did, haha.
I'm dead beat, so I shall cut the crap and beg reviewers to reviews, puh-leese, pretty please with sugar on top, review/comment/flame/suggest/whatever, just let me know someone's reading this.
And oh, one could see that my course of story is very less than set, so please feel free to suggest the pairings of either Hao/Jeanne or Lyserg/Jeanne. Me myself am SO STUCK, I don't know who to choose for Jeanne, so I'll probably go with the majority of the crowd.
Or else I just kill off all of them, haha. :D