Disclaimer: Shaman King and its characters belong to Hiroyuki Takei, not me. No Need for Tenchi and its characters belong to Hitoshi Okuda.
Author's Notes: At this point in time I have seen the entire Shaman King anime in Japanese with English subtitles and scattered episodes of the dubbed first season. I have read the first four volumes of the English manga and await the release of volume 5. I have visited countless spoiler sites and a lot of the information just doesn't agree from site to site. Most of my background information is based on the manga, such as the fact that the official start of the Shaman Fight was January 1, 1999. The rest of the information, such as the outcome of the Shaman Fight, is based on the anime. The reason behind this is mostly because my mind organized the information that way and it just seems to fit in well with my plans for this fanfic.
WARNING! There be spoilers ahead!
Chapter Eight, Part One: The Stargazing Spot
It had been a week since Hex had appeared and launched his attack on the residents of Funbari Onsen. Since then, Anna had enforced her special training on anyone who decided to continue staying at her Inn. Horohoro had decided to return to Hokkaido claiming that he would be able to train at his own pace as long as Pirika didn't find out about Hex. Ren would drop by the Inn daily to visit Yoh and whoever else happened to be present. There had been no sign of Hex since the first attack, so no one really knew when he would strike again.
Because Hao had disappeared into the city for the night, it was left to Yoh and Crystal along with their respective partner spirits to do the evening shopping. What Hao was busy doing in the city was anyone's guess. Since he hadn't been a threat for the last two years, no one really questioned what it was that he was doing.
"Why does Hao always manage to escape when it's supposed to be his turn to do the shopping?" Yoh wasn't actually asking anyone in particular.
Crystal shrugged before she added her own thoughts to that same question, "Why did Anna send both of us if it was simply Hao's turn to do the shopping?"
Yoh hadn't really thought about it. He looked at the slip of paper that Anna had given to him as a shopping list. It seemed the same as usual until he unfolded it at which point he promptly collapsed onto the pavement. Crystal stopped walking and looked down at him with a thoroughly puzzled expression. Yoh recovered, still sweatdropping.
"The list is twice as long as it usually is. I think Anna expects me to do the cooking tonight."
"All's fair in love and war," chirped Takikoneko.
"Huh?!" Yoh stared at Taki in obvious confusion.
"Nothing," replied Taki hurriedly.
Crystal sweatdropped. "It isn't Yoh's fault that Hao is a better cook. Considering Hao has a thousand years of experience to work with, it isn't all that surprising really."
"Crystal does bring up a valid point," agreed Amidamaru.
------------------------
"Did any of you feel that?" asked Crystal several minutes later as they had continued on the way to the store.
"Feel what?" asked Yoh.
Crystal shook her head. "I guess it was just my imagination." Immediately afterward, she blinked and started looking around. "No, I'm sure I just felt it again... it's coming from over there!" With that she took off in the direction of whatever it was that seemed to be calling out to her.
"Maybe Anna's training is starting to get to her," suggested Yoh.
"Shouldn't we go after her?" asked Amidamaru.
------------------------
Several minutes later the group found themselves in an undeveloped little area that was actually very close to Funbari Onsen. There was a large grass field with a river running down the center with trees spread out on either side. The area was large enough that the lights from the city did not influence the view of the night sky, and that sky was full of stars.
"Wow," commented Yoh. He couldn't really think of anything else to say under the present circumstances.
"I guess it was this place that was calling out to me," Crystal finally concluded. She had already started for one of the trees along the river. She sprawled out on the grass with her arms folded behind her head and looked up at the star filled sky. "The view here is great."
Yoh shrugged and settled under the tree as he normally would have up at the Funbari Hill Cemetery. His attention also went to the stars. "This could be a good place to relax after the training Anna keeps putting us through."
"Aren't we supposed to be going to the store?" asked Taki.
"We can spare a few minutes to stargaze," replied Yoh with his usual carefree smile.
------------------------
Of course, when one decides to become side-tracked it is a good idea to keep track of exactly how much time has gone by. Those few minutes somehow became a good two hours of stargazing at which point the entire group had completely forgotten that they were supposed to have gone to the store and returned to Funbari Onsen already. It would have been fine if Anna hadn't gotten fed up with waiting and come out to look for them.
"Just what do all of you think you're doing?!"
"Uh, stargazing," supplied Yoh in a sleepy tone.
Taki took cover behind Crystal. "Uh-oh, Anna looks mad."
"I thought I told you to do the evening shopping. I've been waiting two hours and when you didn't come back I thought Hex might have attacked again!" Anna sounded angry.
Crystal sweatdropped. "No need to worry. We just lost track of time is all."
"See to it that this doesn't happen again." Anna stalked off in the direction of Funbari Onsen.
"We should hurry up with that shopping Yoh-Dono," noted Amidamaru.
Yoh was already on his feet. "Good idea."
Chapter Eight, Part Two: Misadventure in Okayama
August 2002...
"Two seconds to summon five Okamiryuu. You should be able to hold your own against other Shamans without relying on an Oversoul now."
Crystal called off her assembled Shikigami and added, "You might not have noticed, but I didn't just summon five of them... I gave each of them a different dominant elemental to work with."
"I don't think there's any training I can up with that will help you anymore. You'll have to come up with something yourself," replied Anna.
Taki dropped down from a nearby tree in her humanoid form looking rather annoyed. "So what I'm hearing is that you don't need my help anymore? If that's how you feel, say no more... I'm leaving." With that she transformed into her kitten form and flew off.
"Taki! That's not what Anna meant!" Crystal called after the departing pyromaniacal waterfall spirit. She hurriedly summoned another Okamiryuu and prepared to climb on its back when a voice from behind her caught her attention.
"You're still worn out from training this morning. Do you really think you can catch up with her at the rate she was going?" asked Hao.
Crystal turned around to face him. "I have to try."
"I can help," Hao volunteered. "Spirit of Fire!" And so it was that Hao summoned the giant flaming ghost to fly himself and Crystal after the retreating form of Takikoneko, not aware of where the pyromaniacal waterfall spirit was headed.
------------------------
"That's odd," noted Crystal. "I'd have thought she would go back to the waterfall in California, but that doesn't appear to be a case."
Hao looked down at the landscape bellow and spotted a sign that might have been able to explain what exactly Taki was trying to accomplish. "The Masaki Shrine... well, I guess that makes some kind of sense considering she is a spirit."
"We better land and start asking if anyone has seen her around here," suggested Crystal.
------------------------
Tenchi was kind enough to lead Crystal and Hao inside where there had apparently been sightings of the pyromaniacal waterfall spirit that they were trying to track down. The fact that this meant entering the lab of the greatest scientific genius in the universe, Washu, was purely coincidental... or so they thought.
"Hao!" There was a brief silence following the shout that could have only come from Taki. Then Hao was pinned to the floor by a very pleased looking girl with cat-like ears, who looked rather like Taki's humanoid form. The difference was obvious. Somehow Taki had gained a physical body.
Washu appeared from behind the scenes. "It would appear that the experiment was a success."
"Experiment?" Crystal wondered out loud.
Hao calmly removed Taki from his person, "It's nice to see that you're in a better mood. A warning would be nice the next time you decide to do that."
"It was simple really. She requested a shape-shifting body appropriate for a spirit such as herself and I simply ran some scans before providing her with the perfect body. The catch is that she's stuck with it now," explained Washu.
Taki grinned, "I can assure you that I won't be complaining about that."
------------------------
As they emerged from the lab, Taki shouted up at Ryoko who was in her usual spot sitting among the ceiling beams drinking sake. "Hiya, I'm your new sister!"
Ryoko looked surprised for a moment. Then she snatched Tenchi from the other room and dragged him over before speaking authoritatively. "You see this guy, Tenchi? He's mine, ya got that?"
Taki nodded before attaching herself to Hao's arm, "This one is mine."
"Huh?" Hao and Tenchi blinked in unison.
As Crystal, Hao and Taki departed a dust cloud formed behind them. Within this cloud, Ayeka was attempting to educate Ryoko that she would be the one to win Tenchi's heart. There was an exchange of sweatdrops.
"Taki, what possessed you to do this?" asked Hao.
Taki shrugged, "I was bored of being a spirit without anything to do, so I decided it might be fun to join the rest of you in the land of fleshiness."
"I see," Hao sweatdropped.
Chapter Eight, Part Three: At the Buffet
September 2002...
Taki rushed toward the mall after learning from Hao that Crystal was apparently teaching Ren and Horohoro how to play DDR without having told anyone in advance. She would have to explain to Crystal that she did not approve of secrets like this. If she was doing something this amusing, Taki should have been the first one to find out. It was a shock that Hao knew about it before her.
When Taki arrived at the arcade in the mall, she started to overhear the middle of a conversation that had started only a few minutes earlier. Shifting into her kitten form, she made herself comfortable under the DDR machine and continued to listen.
"If I have money to waste at the arcade, I can pay for a trip to the buffet... which is allowed because Shiva isn't stalking me today." Crystal was talking to Horohoro.
Horohoro spoke to Ren mockingly, "Just because you stink at it, doesn't make it evil." Not paying attention to Crystal, he added, "Say buddy, do you have any extra money on you?"
Crystal sweatdropped at Horohoro, "I said I'd cover it." She started walking toward the buffet, waving for Ren and Horohoro to follow her. "Well then, since we're all hungry... let's eat!"
Horohoro grinned at Ren, "Race ya there!" He shot him a coy look. "Unless you're scared."
The anger vein was instantly in effect, throbbing as Ren raised his fist warningly. "Oi..." He started, but was distracted by the mention of food. Huffing, he walked away from Horohoro, following grumpily toward the buffet. He stopped as Horohoro spoke, his eyes instantly narrowed. "Race...? Che! You'd lose."
Horohoro frowned, "I wouldn't lose, you'd lose you big... loser!" Then he realized Ren was ahead of him and ran to catch up.
Smirking, Ren waited for Horohoro to run past and slipped his leg out to trip the other boy. "Why that little..." Horohoro muttered angrily as he got back up, his fists clenched. "Emphasis on little!" Ren continued at the same calm pace and reached the buffet, gloating somewhat at his victory.
Ren grumbled as he looked over the buffet line, grumpy as ever. "... No Chinese food..." Being hungry, he picked up a plate and upon hearing Horohoro, threw the plate at him. Horohoro dodged it, sticking out his tongue goofily before running up to the buffet.
"What's the matter? Wittle Ren wants his mommy's cooking?" Horohoro smirked at him and grabbed a plate.
Crystal simply sighed as she entered the buffet. She quickly payed for herself as well as Ren and Horohoro, still not aware that Taki was following them. She set the receipt on at a table and then walked over to the buffet. She picked up a plate and began piling food onto it, all the while wondering why all the guys she knew liked to fight with each other.
Ren growled. "Shut up!" He began dishing something completely random onto his plate. He sat down at the table, his pointy cowlick wiggling in anger. Horohoro snickered and heaped as much food as he could get on the plate. Then he also took a seat at the table. Crystal simply shook her head, took her spot at the table, and started eating. She knew it wasn't possible to stop the two of them once they got started, so she wasn't about to waste her energy trying. She was still wondering why there was an English DDR machine in Tokyo when she was used to the Japanese ones in California.
Horohoro started shoveling food into his mouth at a rapid pace. When he noticed that Ren wasn't keep up with him, he started snatching food off of the Chinese Shaman's plate. Ren looked at his plate distastefully. He grumbled and eventually picked up his eating utensils. The anger vein appeared once more as Horohoro started grabbing his food. He turned and growled again. "It's a buffet you moron! Go get something from there!" He shouted as he poked Horohoro in the forehead with his cowlick-from-hell.
Takikoneko neatly flomped onto the table, acting for all the world like she belonged there as a center piece. As she watched Horohoro start stealing Ren's food, she grabbed the nearest ownerless fork and stabbed it into the table. She left it wriggling in the wood. "Be nice or I'll come up with a competition for you two."
Crystal started eating her food more quickly, not wanting to fall victim to Horohoro's food snatching. She didn't really expect that he'd go after her food, but she kept her mind open to the possibility anyway. She glanced toward Taki with a sweatdrop, "Please don't give them ideas..."
"What?" said Horohoro through a mouthful of food. "You weren't eating it." He winced and rubbed his forehead. "Ow. That thing thing hurts. It should be outlawed as a weapon." He finally finished polishing off his plate and returned to the buffet for another heap of food.
Taki smiled innocently. "Now each of you gets your own bowl of soup. I shall add one scoop of Hot Pepper to each, one at a time... and he who eats the hottest soup without keeling over, breathing fire, or drinking a drink is the winner."
Ren looked up at Taki as she explained the competition, a gleam in his eyes. He smirked as he looked over to Horohoro. "Oi... you up to the challenge?" Crystal simply sweatdropped before finishing off the contents of her plate and making a beeline straight for the dessert bar. She returned with a slice of chocolate cake, a bowl of spiraled soft serve topped with carmel, sprinkles some shaved coconut, and a small plate of Jello. Taki was grinning insanely as she started filling the first pre-measured scoop with the first bit of hot powder. "Or are you afraid to lose?" Ren laughed in a gloating manner as he went off to the buffet to get a bowl of soup, returning and sitting down.
"Challenge?" Horohoro stood up determined. "Hah, you bet." He grinned at Ren, but then became distracted by the dessert table.
Taki dropped the scoop and picked up the fork she had stabbed into the table, menacing Horohoro with it. "Fight first, winner gets dessert.""Hmph, looks like you won't be getting any sweets." Ren was still gloating, confidence as ever that he was going to win.
"Alright, I'll beat that little Chinese, cowlicked, weasel to the ground!"
"Che. Whatever you say, baka yarou. When I've beaten you, I'll make sure to eat every last crumb of the desserts."
"Fine then, let the action commence." With that, Taki applied the first scoops to the soups.
------------------------
Horohoro smirked back at Ren across the table as the fourth round began, "I was about to ask you the same thing." He took another spoonful of soup and... "GAH!!! HOT!!! MY MOUTH IS ON FIRE!!!" He then started to run around the room screaming for a full five minutes before finally smashing into a decorative tree and crashing to the floor in a semi-conscious heap.
Crystal glanced to the collapsed Horohoro, "I don't think he's gonna be waking up any time soon."
Ren also took a spoonful of soup, raising it up... "Hmph!" he said, prior to downing the liquid. Ren crossed his arms as he swallowed, closing his eyes. For several moments, nothing happened...... .... ..... ".....Hmph." he said again, looking over at Horohoro. The sauce kicked in after a moment....right? ....Ren began to sweat....
Crystal watched Ren, "He's tough, but I don't think he realized what he was getting in to when he agreed to sample your Infamous Double Dip Jalapeno Habenero Pepperdom Death Batch."
"....Kono baka---mmph!" His eyes widened and his face turned red as the sauce kicked in, little tears springing up...being Ren, though, he took this calmly.....calmly.......C--Calmly! ..... "You! What did you--!" he growled at Taki, prior to breathing out a long stream of fire. Horohoro was too lost in unconsciousness to acknowledge his victory. Ren stood and walked hastily --but still walked-- toward the restroom to down some water from the faucet in private.
Crystal finished off an ice cream cone and looked up at the ceiling. "Well, that was different."
"Maybe we should arrange a laser tag tournament," suggested Taki. "I could team up with Hao, you could team up with Yoh, and we could make Ren and Horohoro work together."
Crystal raised an eyebrow, "Just because I like to stargaze in the same place as Yoh doesn't mean anything that you're implying... and besides, we only know that Hao likes to play Laser Tag, and that's really kinda my fault..."
"Yes, you're absolutely right. It's all your fault."
Crystal sweatdropped, laughing nervously. "I still don't think it will work."
Taki turned to Crystal again. "There's a point there. If you blab about it, it'll be ruined."
Crystal looked up at the ceiling again, closing her eyes. "I never thought you'd seriously try to play matchmaker with me and Yoh. I won't blab about it, but I do believe you should think about the kinds of time paradoxes this could result in if you go ahead with it. You're right though... the laser tag thing is entirely my fault."
Taki smiled, "Yay grandfather's paradox!" She enjoyed a randomly appearing Shirley Temple that only she could materialize out of thin air.
Crystal opened her eyes, "The question is, does Hao approve of you trying to set me up with Yoh?"
"He can read minds and I'm not dead yet. That should be an answer right there."
A good ten minutes after walking into the restroom, Ren walked back out again. His eyes were narrowed, but he was normal-faced once more, the effects of the evil hot powder having been drowned by the faucets. He instantly glared toward the table. He picked up a dessert, regardless of his not technically winning and began to eat it as he sat down at the table again.
Crystal chuckled slightly, "Part of my brain is screaming that I should be outside at the stargazing spot right now..."
Taki sweatdropped at Ren's anger level. "Uh, I was hoping that the hot powder would cause Horohoro to breath fire... I didn't expect this little turn of events, but in any case... interested in a laser tag competition next Thursday?" She looked to Crystal for help. "You might need to convince him that Laser Tag isn't actually harmful."
Crystal looked to Ren and decided to give Taki the benefit of the doubt. "I happen to know that Hao enjoys a good round of laser tag. If you team up with me, you'll have a chance to best Yoh, Hao and Horohoro."
"Crystal, that is NOT the plan we discussed!" exclaimed Taki.
Ren's eyes widened, "Hao!" He finished his cookie and slammed his hand down on the table. "I'll defeat him, and that idiot as well." He pointed at Horohoro's passed out form. "And next time, he won't win over a technicality!"
Crystal leaned back in her seat again. "There are no technicalities in laser tag." Unless Tyriel is playing, which he won't be. She looked to the ceiling again and finally reached her decision. "In any event... I've had it with being in the mall and I think it's time to get in some stargazing."
To Be Continued...
A Word From the Characters
Yoh: What happened to me being the main character?
Taki: It was your own doing when you decided you'd rather take a nap than tag along on our wild adventures.
Hao: Face it Yoh, Ren and Horohoro are more entertaining than you.
Horohoro: Yeah, I actually got a major role in today's story!
Ren: Just don't let it go to your head...
Crystal: As always, the insane authoress feels more inspired to write when she gets reviews, the sillier the better.
A Word From the Authoress
The last segment in this chapter was inspired by an RP session in Yahoo Chat that I had to alter for use in the fanfic. There were several characters that needed to be editted out, because they don't exist in the timeline of this story, but the concept itself was just too good to leave out.
This story has been discontinued as a fanfic. If you would like to see the further misadventures inspired by this fanfic, take a look at my user information and visit my homepage. There you will find access to my LiveJournal Community where I have posted all the RP sessions taking place after this. I should warn you though, it gets weird.